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- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with customer needs.
- Company: Join a dynamic food innovation company focused on quality and efficiency.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Flexible role with UK travel; perfect for passionate food innovators.
- Why this job: Drive innovation in food products and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science and 10+ years in product development required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
You will lead the NPD and Process Development function, ensuring projects align with customer needs and business priorities. You will turn innovative concepts into factory-ready products, delivering to agreed standards, on time, and with smooth handover into operations. This role combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, and project delivery, driving innovation, efficiency, and successful launches across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the Development Team. Foster collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
- Product Development: Oversee projects from concept to launch. Ensure stakeholder alignment and visibility throughout the process. Deliver strategic short- and long-term innovation plans.
- Project Management: Create and manage effective critical paths. Act as key contact for customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Cross-Functional Working: Partner with Technical, Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Commercial teams. Support development of products, ingredients, packaging, and processes.
- Commercial Focus: Manage costings from concept to post-launch review. Track labour and yield efficiencies to validate margins. Build strong retailer relationships. Present concepts and market-led ideas confidently. Apply food trends and formulation expertise to innovation. Lead process improvement initiatives. Deliver operational efficiencies across new and existing products.
Experience & Qualifications:
- Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field.
- 10+ years in product development or similar.
- 5+ years in an NPD leadership role.
- Experience in chilled, short shelf-life food manufacturing.
- Strong knowledge of UK retail environment.
Skills & Attributes:
- Excellent project and people management skills.
- Strong commercial and technical understanding.
- Influential communicator and relationship builder.
- Passion for food innovation and manufacturing.
- Confident presenter with strong IT skills.
- Flexible, UK travel required, full driving licence essential.
Head of Product Development in England employer: Blakeney Point Search & Selection
Contact Detail:
Blakeney Point Search & Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Development in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Product Development role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies highlighting your successful projects in product development. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and project management. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers and demonstrate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Development in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Product Development. Highlight your experience in NPD and project management, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve turned innovative concepts into successful products!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about food innovation and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise in product development.
Showcase Your Team Leadership: Since this role involves leading and mentoring a team, share examples of how you've successfully developed and motivated teams in the past. We love to see collaboration and high performance, so let us know how you foster those qualities!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get to see more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blakeney Point Search & Selection
✨Know Your Product Development Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and innovations in food science and technology. Brush up on your knowledge of chilled, short shelf-life food manufacturing, as well as the UK retail environment. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and passion during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and mentored teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you fostered collaboration and innovation. Being able to articulate your leadership style and its impact on project outcomes will set you apart.
✨Master Project Management Techniques
Be ready to discuss your experience with creating and managing critical paths for product development projects. Highlight any tools or methodologies you’ve used to ensure timely delivery and stakeholder alignment. This shows you can handle the complexities of the role.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently, especially when discussing market-led concepts and product innovations. Remember, strong communication is key in this role, so be prepared to engage with various stakeholders and build relationships effectively.