Position
Product Development Manager
Location: Thames Refinery, UK
Reports to: R&T Director
Company Description
ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. It operates sugar refineries and mills across North America and Europe, and owns a portfolio of leading brands including Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s®, and Sidul®. At ASR Group, we also produce and market Tellus®, a compostable tableware made from plant fibers, including sugarcane.
Overview
Reporting to the Research and Technology Director, the Product Manager provides customer‑facing leadership across the product portfolio in Europe, acting as the key link between customers, Sales and Marketing, Operations and technical teams.
The role ensures strong involvement of the Product team across the full lifecycle of projects and initiatives, with ownership of technical and operational delivery throughout. It requires strong customer engagement in shaping briefs and supporting commercial activity, combined with technical credibility to guide decisions and ensure continuity and accountability. The position also plays a critical role in supporting operations, working closely with manufacturing and supply chain to enable scalable, reliable delivery against demanding timelines without compromising quality or compliance.
Product Development & Project Management
Lead customer‑facing technical aspects of product and process development, reformulation and optimisation from concept through launch and post‑launch governance, ensuring alignment with commercial priorities and manufacturing capability.
Provide senior technical leadership in ingredient qualification, applied development activities, and production of bench‑top or full‑scale samples aligned with customer and marketing briefs.
Apply stage/gate project management principles with a strong execution focus to deliver multiple customer‑driven work streams on time and in full.
Coordinate product formulations and laboratory samples based on consumer insights, ensuring compliance with manufacturing, regulatory, and cost objectives.
Manage sensory evaluations and consumer testing (qualitative and quantitative), analyse data, and provide actionable recommendations.
Prepare and approve technical documentation (ingredient specifications, formulation briefs, and finished product) and develop process control documents in collaboration with quality and operations teams.
Scale‑Up Trials & Manufacturing Problem Solving
Lead scale‑up trials across European sites, including co‑packers, by defining objectives, developing Design of Experiments plans, capturing critical data, and aligning cross‑functional teams to optimise product performance.
Direct full‑scale production trials to validate process robustness, confirm commercialisation strategies, and ensure seamless
Product Development Manager (Food) in London employer: ASR Group (old)
ASR Group (old) is an attractive employer due to its commitment to employee development and a collaborative work environment. The company provides opportunities to engage in innovative projects and work alongside industry leaders. With a strong focus on quality and compliance, employees can expect a stable and rewarding career path.
