Product Development Manager

The Company and Role.
An exciting opportunity has arisen with a rapidly growing dynamic food business who supply delicious food products internationally! This award-winning food specialist work with a number of strategic co-manufacture to produce a range of a quality packaged products to many well-known business leading customers. 

The Product Development Manager is responsible for the project management of concept development and first production of new products to meet the requirements of client briefs and associated project plans. This is a cross functional role where support is given to the business and projects through the expertise of the Product Development team. 

As part of senior management team, you will play a key role in enabling the business to achieve their projected targets, vision and business plan, through the strategic leadership and management of their product development activities. 

Due to the nature of the role and the location of the business’s manufacturing partners, the role requires regular travel with periods of time staying away from home.

Personal Profile.

• An ability to communicate and engage with the senior management team at a strategic level. 
• Be able to demonstrate a resilience and flexible disposition within a fast pace environment. 
• Strong manufacturing background within the food manufacturing sector.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, systems and standards.
• A robust understanding of product development and industry standards is essential.
• Good understanding of the development cycle and the stage-gate process. 
• Probably a food science degree, with significant experience in a food environment. 
• An understanding of outsourced environments and contract manufacturing would be useful. 
• Ability to build and develop strong, cooperative relationships with external partners at executive and operational management levels.

Key Accountabilities.

• Work to the project plans and company’s product development processes to ensure right first time Product Development is achieved.
• Ensure product development meets the needs of the customer, and quality standards of the business.
• Develop, review and present to clients’ innovative product and packaging concepts that meet the client brief.
• Lead the transition of new products from approved concept, trial and testing stages through to full production.
• Plan, manage and support factory trials at manufacturers.
• Work with manufacturers to establish relevant controls prior to the introduction of a new production processes and products.
• Input to the supplier approval process and manage the introduction of new manufacturers as they are appointed.
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with.

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We regret we cannot offer visa sponsorship and can only consider candidates who hold right to work in the UK.

To apply, please e-mail in strict confidence, with a comprehensive CV, including salary details, quoting the above reference and for the attention of James Constable

Due to a high volume of responses, we cannot reply to each application individually. If you have not had a response within one week, we are sorry to say your application has not been successful on this occasion.