Head of Product Development, Food and Sports

Join our team and be part of a company that truly lives its values. With our expertise and commitment to innovation, we aim to build trust and make health and wellness accessible to all. By fostering inclusivity and care, we work collaboratively to improve the well-being of our colleagues, customers, and communities.

The purpose of this role is to lead the development and delivery of the global new product strategy & 3-year NPD plans for Holland & Barrett's own brand product range in line with the business and category strategy for food and sports. This role sits within the Group Product function and works closely with our product integrity, science, and commercial functions. The vision for the business is to become the trusted partner for over 100 million people globally, to achieve their personal health and wellness goals. Developing the H&B brand is a key element of this. You will drive business performance by enhancing the range, quality, and value perception of our own brand products globally. This role is instrumental in creating customer products and propositions that provide a continuous pipeline of unique & innovative health and wellness solutions across different categories.

• Drive the total H&B food and sports brand strategy for all existing and emerging categories.
• Translate consumer, trend, and market insight into product innovation strategies and rolling 3-5 year NPD plans for the H&B branded food and sports range.
• Deliver financial targets for the NPD pipeline and achieve customer metrics (adoption & retention).
• Lead and collaborate across multiple product categories and projects, working with your commercial and non-food counterparts to enhance the H&B Brand with support from your product development team.
• Ensure all product development aligns with Holland & Barrett's brand purpose and promise.
• Work with our internal design studio to deliver best-in-class packaging designs within our brand visual identity.
• Develop globally compelling, differentiated product propositions based on strong consumer insights, competitor, and market knowledge to drive long-term value.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver each development from concept to finished product, optimizing aspects from product format to claims, including sourcing new suppliers and onboarding.
• Ensure all new products are delivered on time and within budget.
• Support the wider product team to maximize cross-category opportunities and drive the H&B brand forward, mentoring other product developers as needed.
• Maintain expertise by staying updated on global trends and understanding supply base and manufacturing processes.
• Continuously improve our NPD process to optimize efficiency and lead time to market.
• Collaborate with the Director of NPD and our science team to align product frameworks with the latest health landscape, ensuring relevance and efficacy of H&B products.
• Work with global counterparts to consider international markets and customer needs in product development.

This is a hybrid role based in London with a requirement to be in the office at least twice a week.

• Extensive experience in branded product development within food and/or drink sectors.
• Knowledge of building a global brand.
• Self-starter capable of leading multiple projects and implementing new processes.
• Ability to manage critical paths and see the bigger strategic picture.
• Experience in leading large-scale NPD projects from concept to launch with commercial success.
• Proficiency in developing brand positioning, innovation strategies, and product plans.
• Strong track record of developing compelling, high-selling products.
• Experience in implementing new processes and supplier collaborations.
• Strong line management skills.

• Passionate about food and drink product development.
• Innovative mindset, championing new ideas.
• Proactive in driving change and improvements.
• Ability to work effectively within ambiguity and drive resolution.
• Creates clarity and calm within teams and stakeholders.
• Inquisitive and curious about products, people, and trends.
• Problem-solving mindset.
• Creative thinker and solution-oriented.

Includes, but not limited to: H&B Employee Discount - 25%, Bonus, Pension contribution, 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), Private Medical Care, Exclusive benefits and discounts from various retailers, Electric Car Scheme.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, embracing all colleagues' unique backgrounds and experiences. We celebrate our EPIC values: Expertise, Pioneering, Inclusive, Caring.