Gap Personnel (operating as an employment business) have exciting opportunities for Product Development Manager a to join a well-established company who specialise in food manufacturing. Our clients business is growing and as a result, we are now seeking new talent to join their manufacturing teams. The environment is busy and fast paced.

Overview of role

Customer facing role managing the development process from concept to launch, owning and driving critical paths for NPD / EPD launches

Developing full understanding of the Chilled Pastry Category coupled with a desire to translate new trends & consumer needs into winning New Product Development

Leading the business into new profitable areas through proactive Innovation / New Product development

Proactively managing recipe generator software, liking in with Procurement & Commercial to ensure up to date recipe costings.

Planning coordinating & communicating all factory and kitchen trials / sample generation.

Managing the development kitchen space to be safe and clean & to ensure we have the tools necessary to minimize factory impact when generating samples.

Leading on-going re-engineering and development of recipes and processes to aid efficiency & consistency in the factory.

Designing, recording & reporting on all new recipes and recipe amendments.

Maintaining & developing strong links between NPD and Factory.

Generating key product submission documentation

Role and Responsibilities

Proactive management of recipe generator software, liking in with Procurement & Commercial to ensure up to date recipe specifications & costings.

To act as link between NPD and Production to implement new recipes, products or processes in the factory

Modifying existing products and processes and develop new ones

Ensure validation work is carried out on ingredients, products, processes & equipment during development process.

PRODUCT LAUNCHES

To coordinate scale up factory trials & product launches - Including organising and leading concept to launch / critical path meetings, recording and communicating required actions, owners and deadlines.

To generate relevant information to ensure products are manufactured according to standards agreed with customer

Working closely with the wider team to provide suitable packaging solutions.

QUALITY STANDARDS

Working alongside production team to develop solutions to production issues whilst maintaining food safety.

Working with QA team in daily taste panels to monitor ongoing quality within the bakery and proactively making recommendations to improve overall quality.

PROJECTS

To become involved in key company projects / initiatives to drive efficiency & profitability

HEALTH AND SAFTEY

To assume responsibility for the safety of self and staff whilst at work

Ensuring that all requirements as laid down within the Company’s Health and Safety Policy are implemented, monitored and maintained in order to fulfil all legislative requirements. Ensuring that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for Health and Safety and that safe working practices are adhered to at all times.

To be responsible for the assessment of risk within the department or area of control.

Key Skills

Educated to degree level in food related subject, and or 3 years’ experience within the food industry

Experience of driving profitable innovation which is supported by a solid understanding of food science and manufacturing processes

Experience of own label NPD within major retail sector

Comfortable working in a customer facing role and passionate about food.

Previous success in delivering results in a food manufacturing environment where you have developed your customer management skills as well as an articulate, engaging presentation style.

Commercially astute, have superb project management skills with the ability to drive and influence to achieve success.

Key behaviors

Ability to work with & Influence stake holders both internal and external

Ambitious, growth minded, problem-solving, can-do attitude

Desire to grow market knowledge, to spot opportunities for product development & engage the wider team to gain buy-in

Ability to organise and project plan complex pieces of work involving deadlines and multiple stakeholders.

To Champion quality, set high standards in terms of work ethic & strive for getting things right first time