Development Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Development Assistant to join our team on a permanent basis!

You will report to the Development Manager and will support the Development team to ensure effective and successful private label and branded product launches and customer projects.

About us

Valeo Foods UK is the trading name of Rowse Honey Ltd. Many of the Valeo Foods brands are category leaders and include household names such as Rowse, Buckwud, Kelkin, and Matthew Walker. Wallingford is the headquarters for the UK business; here we pack our entire Rowse brand products, and also sell and distribute Balconi, Bolands and other Irish brands. Our successful portfolios of products are always expanding as we continue to grow throughout the UK and across Europe.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Customer

• Supports the delivery of the brand and customer plans by working with the NPD team on new product launches, and key customer initiatives
• Support the team with make up of samples and products as requested and liaise with customers
• Organise the coordination and sending of samples to customers and internal stakeholders
• Collect, store and organize competition samples
• Customer and supplier contact, through reviews and presentations

Development and Trials

• Supports the Development team with concept development activities
• Supports the Process Development Manager with trial activities and post trial activities

Responsibilities

• Manage product samples from sample retention and storage through to sample dispatch to customers and key stakeholders. Ensures that retained samples and display samples are in date and of high quality standards
• Sets up and coordinates assessment panels for shelf-life from the testing plan and sample retention through to laboratory testing and taste panels. Records and interprets the data and communicates to the wider business following sign-off from Development Manager
• Collates, manages and stores data from factory trials, shelf-life assessments and panels ensuring that this is recorded and reviewed effectively to facilitate commercial decision making
• Develops the QAS or Quality Contracts for new products as they are developed and ensures detailed quality parameters are recorded through accurate measurements, photographic images and pantone references
• Sets up and monitors transit trials for new pack formats and packaging ensuring that accurate records and photographs are retained and stored before reporting
• Supports the product development process with critical path management and coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders to plan any remedial action and contingencies required
• Conducts benchmarking panels including purchasing of samples, store reviews, recording and publishing of information
• Organize when required raw materials and packaging from the factory
• Liaise with all departments to facilitate the smooth running of development projects
• Further ad-hoc duties as required

Key Skills and Competencies

• Good knowledge and passion for food
• Ability to work off own initiative
• Good understanding of the manufacturing process
• Be self-motivated and versatile
• Have good interpersonal skills
• Have good organizational skills
• Good PC Skills

Valeo Foods UK are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.