Product Developer

Our business has a long and proud history of food excellence. We produce award-winning dressings, condiments and marinades for many of the UK’s leading food manufacturers and retailers as well as nurturing our own brands: Very Lazy® and Newman’s Own®. We believe it’s our passion for good food, fine ingredients and technical excellence that sets us apart and gives us our success. We’re a spirited, adventurous and resourceful team, and we think these qualities make for something pretty unique and coveted these days. From the mayonnaise and chutneys we create to the management styles and choices we make, everything is guided by our core company values: Put people first, Bring positive energy, Do the right thing the right way and Be better every day. It’s these values that make us look forward to coming to work every day and make English Provender Company a great place to work.

Main Purpose: To develop products meeting both quality and commercial requirements for dedicated customer accounts, driving customer engagement with direction from the Senior Product Developer, managing the Handover process and assisting in managing the gated launch process for a range of specified accounts, as directed by the Senior Product Developer; to work as part of the NPD Team, liaising internally with Process, Marketing, Technical, Production and Commercial Teams to ensure the successful development of products. To support the Senior Product Developer in the achievement of objectives and play an active role in the development of the company’s overall strategy.

Responsibilities / Key Tasks:

• Communicate effectively within the NPD Team and wider company to ensure the smooth and successful launch of new products, which meet the business standards for quality, safety and commercial.
• Own your part in the smooth running of the development kitchen.
• Proactively guide development through the gate process.
• Effectively transfer products from kitchen to the Process team, through the Handover process, assisting on factory trials where necessary for the successful launch of new products.
• Develop new products in response to customer briefs, ensuring that all products meet commercial, technical and customer requirements, with direction from Senior Product Developer.
• Maintain awareness of new, innovative ingredients, raw materials, suppliers and relevant market trends to enable the development of ‘first to market’ products.
• Troubleshoot and implement corrective actions for continuous improvement.
• Proactively seek out NPD opportunities and ideas that will enhance business performance and complement customer strategies.

Customer:

• Develop effective relationships with customers and suppliers regarding the development of products.
• Think customer - know your customers.
• Prepare creative & innovative customer presentations.
• Proactively present product direction and identify future product opportunities with the support from the chef team.
• Carry out regular store visits to understand customer ranges and new launches.

Commercial:

• Support the business in their sales & margin growth with successful NPD.
• Ensure projects are within budget and be commercially aware.
• Be informed and aware of key business information (sales, marketing & business performance).

General:

• Manage systems and information that can be accessed by all team members and make proposals for continuous improvement where necessary.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Demonstrate a consistent approach to food hygiene and health & safety procedures throughout the workplace.
• Portray a positive image of the company and its values in a professional manner at all times.
• Any other duties which might reasonably be requested in association with the role in order to meet the needs of the business.
• A flexible approach to travel regarding visiting customers and suppliers.
• Adhere to all company rules and procedures, paying particular attention to health and safety.