Product Development Manager

We have a new opportunity to join The Compleat Food Group as a Product Development Manager! You will be responsible for product development across our Tesco account with regular travel to Tesco Head Office and Nottingham.

About The Compleat Food Group: At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat. We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice. With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

Location: Flexible with hybrid working – candidate must be able to travel regularly to Tesco Head Office (Welwyn Garden City)

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 5:00pm, Friday 8:30 – 4:00pm

Salary: Up to £50,000 + car allowance + bonus

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Your Duties Will Include:

• Accountability for the development for all customer briefs and ensuring KPIs are delivered in line with critical path dates.
• Ensure all development is aligned with company and customer strategy.
• Grow and maintain customer relationships and become lead contact for external stakeholders.
• Identify continuous improvement of development processes.
• Working closely with Insight and Category teams applying food knowledge to develop and deliver the customer development and innovation 3-year pipeline plans.
• Keep up to date with market trends and competitor knowledge.
• Lead the team in line Product Launch Processes to ensure technical and commercial viability.
• Ensure development team are sourcing viable new RM’s and finished products from suppliers.
• Support business and customer sustainability initiatives.
• Responsible for the delivery of NPD budget.
• People management responsibility for direct reports to manage team performance and personal development.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

• Strong NPD experience in food manufacturing (chilled food desirable).
• Able to demonstrate record of delivering new products to the market, ideally in chilled food.
• Understanding of UK and European food regulation and legislation.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Genuine passion for food with strong work ethic and professionalism.
• Driving licence essential.

Why Join Us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension.
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra.
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store.
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand.
• EV charging points - available at selected sites.
• 10% bonus.
• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support.
• Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts.
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes.
• Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources.
• Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid.
• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS).
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role.
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations.
• Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey.
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards.

Community & Culture:

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you.
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events.
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together.
• Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat.
• New baby gift for new parents.

What You Should Know About How We Recruit:

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe great teams are built on difference. We create an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and are able to be themselves at work. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect. If you need a reasonable adjustment at any stage of our recruitment process, just let us know, we’ll support you — confidentially and with care. We hire the best people for our roles, not the same people. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, we focus on what you do and the impact you could make in our business. Our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and designed to give everyone an equal chance.