At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food and beverage product development across diverse markets.
- Company: Join a dynamic team collaborating with iconic global brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy creative freedom, cross-functional teamwork, and potential remote work options.
- Why this job: Shape products that bring joy to consumers while working in a vibrant, collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in food and beverage product development, creativity, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Experience in the EMEA region and proficiency in Adobe tools are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced professional with a strong background in food and beverage product development—ideally within a licensing environment—and a keen understanding of brand partnerships. This role is an exciting opportunity to shape innovative F&B products in collaboration with some of the world’s most recognizable brands.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a key member of the EMEA Product Development & Creative (PDC) team, driving all aspects of food and beverage product development across local markets within the Consumer Products (CP) business.
- Collaborate closely with the Brand Partnerships team on cross-functional F&B initiatives.
- Oversee freelancers and external agencies in the creation of visual tools such as mood boards, product mock-ups, and concept presentations to support product storytelling and creative direction across all age ranges—from Infant to Adult.
- Partner with licensees to foster innovation and provide feedback throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring alignment with brand vision, design standards, and product quality.
- Manage product approvals efficiently through the internal approval system to ensure timely delivery and compliance.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with Licensing, Market Strategy & Development (MSD), and Retail Marketing teams to support the broader brand objectives.
- Coordinate with key stakeholders—including Content, Brand Partnerships, Business & Legal Affairs (BLA), Creative Marketing, and Regional Marketing—to amplify the impact of strategic initiatives.
What We’re Looking For
- 8+ years of experience in creative direction for food and beverage product development, ideally within entertainment licensing, brand partnerships, or retail.
- Demonstrated creativity and innovation in product development, with a passion for storytelling and delivering joyful consumer experiences.
- In-depth knowledge of F&B trends and new product development (NPD), with the ability to translate insights into commercially viable and brand-aligned products.
- Solid understanding of the European retail landscape and competitive brand positioning.
- Strong communication skills to effectively manage agency relationships and creative project workflows.
- Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
- Multilingual skills are a plus.
- Prior experience in the EMEA region required.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is essential.
Contact Detail:
Aquent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food & Beverage Product Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the food and beverage industry, especially those involved in product development and brand partnerships. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the brands that StudySmarter collaborates with. Understanding their values and product lines will help you demonstrate how your experience aligns with their vision during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your creativity by preparing a portfolio of past projects that highlight your innovative approach to product development. Include examples that reflect your ability to tell a story through food and beverage products.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your project management skills, as this role requires excellent organisational abilities. Consider using project management tools to demonstrate your efficiency in managing timelines and stakeholder communications.
We think you need these skills to ace Food & Beverage Product Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in food and beverage product development, especially within licensing environments. Emphasise any relevant projects that showcase your creativity and innovation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for storytelling and how it relates to product development. Mention specific brands or projects you've worked on that align with the company's vision and objectives.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as your project management skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed creative workflows and agency relationships in past roles.
Demonstrate Market Knowledge: Include insights about current F&B trends and how they can be applied to create commercially viable products. This shows your understanding of the market and your ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aquent
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As a Food & Beverage Product Development Manager, creativity is key. Prepare to discuss specific examples of innovative products you've developed in the past, and how you approached storytelling in those projects.
✨Understand Brand Partnerships
Familiarise yourself with the brands the company collaborates with. Be ready to discuss how you can align product development with their brand vision and values, demonstrating your understanding of successful partnerships.
✨Highlight Your Project Management Skills
This role requires excellent project management abilities. Prepare to share examples of how you've managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with brand standards.
✨Know the Market Trends
Stay updated on current food and beverage trends, especially within the European market. Be prepared to discuss how these trends can influence product development and how you can leverage them to create commercially viable products.