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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food projects and create impactful product concepts.
- Company: Join apetito, a leading food supplier dedicated to health and social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and perks like free parking and discounts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food innovation and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in food innovation and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Be part of a family-owned business committed to sustainability and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Competitive Salary + Company Car + Bonus + Benefits
- Location: UK-Wiltshire-Trowbridge
- Contract type: Permanent (Full-Time)
Overview
Make a real difference through game-changing innovation
We are seeking a visionary food professional to join us as Head of Product Innovation.
Innovation has been at the heart of our commercial success for the last 25 years and continues to be at the core of our strategy for growth.
Head of Product Innovation will be a proven leader with the creativity, resilience and inquisitive mind to unlock the next wave of breakthrough innovations for apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods.
Your Impact
This is an exciting opportunity to build and deliver an industry-leading innovations pipeline. You’ll uncover unmet needs, explore cutting-edge technologies, and bring new food and system concepts to life, from first spark to full-scale launch.
You’ll be at the centre of our Innovation team:
- Shaping strategy – translating insight, trends and ideas into clear product & system innovations.
- Driving delivery – overseeing development of compelling product and system solutions that bring significant value to our customers and business.
- Inspiring your team – leading and growing a high-performing team to think boldly, act fast, and innovate with purpose.
Who we are
apetito is the UK\’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.
Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.
Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK\’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.
Responsibilities
- Build and manage a forward-thinking innovation programme that delivers a robust pipeline of product and system innovation.
- Identify incremental and transformational opportunities that deliver genuine competitive advantage and commercial growth.
- Scout and apply emerging ingredients, products, technologies, and equipment that unlock new possibilities.
- Identify relevant trends and apply anthropological approaches to identify unmet needs and create whitespace opportunities.
- Collaborate across apetito and with external partners including academic, suppliers and startups to accelerate innovation.
- Validate concepts rapidly through agile “test and learn” approaches.
- Present compelling business cases to secure stakeholder buy-in.
- Ensure the effective design, development and implementation of concepts and products.
- Lead and develop the Innovation Team, embedding a culture of creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
- Support our Business Development team with concept development, testing and implementation, to deliver opportunities into new workstreams.
About you
Essential:
- An accomplished food innovator with a proven track record of delivering commercially successful, high-impact concepts.
- A natural team leader who energises, empowers, and brings others on the innovation journey.
- A big-picture thinker with a Growth mindset, who can also roll up their sleeves and deliver.
- The ability to translate insights and ideas into meaningful growth opportunities.
- A passionate believer in the importance of food making a real difference.
- Commercially aware and tuned into the practicalities of scaling breakthrough ideas.
- Empathetic with the customers and markets apetito serves and our “making a real difference” mission
- Degree level qualification, or equivalent experience.
Company Benefits
- Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
- Company car
- 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
- Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 4%
- Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
- Subsidised canteen
- Free parking
- Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
- apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts
Our Values
As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.
We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.
We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.
We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.
Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.
Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we\’re on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.
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Head of Product Innovation employer: apetito
Contact Detail:
apetito Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Innovation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food innovation events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Product Innovation role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your past innovations and how they made a difference. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your ability to think outside the box.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss trends! Stay updated on the latest food industry trends and technologies. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, impress them with your insights and how you can apply them to their business.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission. Tailor your application to show how your values align with ours, and don’t forget to highlight your passion for making a real difference in the food industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Innovation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Innovation: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for food innovation shine through! Share specific examples of how you've driven successful projects in the past and what excites you about the future of food.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and values mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission at apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to highlight your achievements and skills, making it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Product Innovation role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application reaches us quickly and allows you to easily track its progress. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at apetito
✨Know Your Innovations
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends in food innovation. Familiarise yourself with cutting-edge technologies and successful product launches in the industry. This will not only show your passion but also help you discuss how you can contribute to their innovation pipeline.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a potential leader, be ready to share examples of how you've inspired and empowered teams in the past. Discuss specific instances where your leadership led to successful outcomes, especially in innovative projects. This will demonstrate your ability to energise and grow a high-performing team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to product innovation. Think about how you would scout for new opportunities or validate concepts quickly. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Align with Their Values
Research apetito's mission and values thoroughly. Be prepared to discuss how your personal beliefs align with their commitment to making a real difference in the community. Showing that you resonate with their ethical standards and dedication to sustainability will set you apart as a candidate.
