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- Tasks: Lead the innovation and launch of exciting food and beverage products for the travel industry.
- Company: Join En Route International, part of dnata, a global leader in air services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and hands-on experience in a global setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food innovation while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in food product development and strong culinary awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
En Route International operates globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers. With offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE, En Route supplies premium baked goods, meals and snacks to the travel industry.
The Food Development Manager is responsible for leading the innovation, development and launch of high-quality food and beverage products. Providing expertise across En Route’s core categories, ensuring all project tasks are completed within agreed timescales and to the required standards, taking project ownership where applicable.
In addition to having product responsibility, this role will also support strategic projects as required.
- Lead the end-to-end development of new food concepts and product ranges.
- Work closely with customers to understand their brand positioning, route profiles and passenger expectations and translate this into detailed product briefs for suppliers.
- Partner with suppliers and technical colleagues on first trials, first production and oversee implementation of new products ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
- Collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure innovation, ingredient quality, cost effectiveness and sustainability where appropriate.
- Support commercial account managers during client pitches and tenders.
- Ensure any direct reports have clear performance goals that are regularly reviewed throughout the year.
- Travel overseas as required for customer and supplier meetings.
Experience in food product development or manufacturing, ideally within airline catering or wider food service, with strong knowledge of stage-gate processes and a clear understanding of factory manufacturing from an NPD perspective.
Excellent culinary awareness, with hands-on experience working across multiple product categories such as sandwiches/food-to-go, ready meals, bakery, cakes, and other relevant ranges.
A strong passion for food, product innovation, and understanding emerging trends.
Commercial acumen with the ability to balance creativity and practicality.
Confidence in making data-driven decisions and collaborating effectively across internal and external partners.
Experience using a retail category approach to product development.
People management experience.
Advanced understanding of food manufacturing processes.
Confident user of Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
Location: the successful candidate will be based out of our Windsor office with an expected 3-4 days per week onsite, plus some business travel as required.
If you require any adjustments or support during the application or interview stages, please let us know - we’re here to help!
Any personal data you share with us during the application process will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws and used solely for recruitment purposes.
Leadership and Development Manager in Windsor employer: En Route International
Contact Detail:
En Route International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Leadership and Development Manager in Windsor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at En Route International or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research En Route’s products and their market position. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in food product development and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food! During interviews, share your culinary experiences and any innovative ideas you have for new products. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and creativity, which are key for this role.
✨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 take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Leadership and Development Manager in Windsor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Leadership and Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in food product development and any relevant projects you've led, showing us how you fit the bill!
Show Your Passion for Food: We love candidates who are passionate about food and innovation! Share your culinary experiences and any trends you've noticed in the industry. This will help us see your enthusiasm and understanding of the market.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at En Route International
✨Know Your Product Development Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food product development, especially in the airline catering sector. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led projects from concept to launch, and how you’ve ensured compliance with food safety standards.
✨Understand the Brand and Customer Needs
Before the interview, research En Route International and its customer base. Think about how you can translate passenger expectations into product briefs. Prepare to share insights on how you’ve successfully collaborated with customers in the past.
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
Be prepared to talk about your culinary experiences and how they relate to product innovation. Share any trends you've noticed in the food industry and how you would apply them to develop new products that resonate with consumers.
✨Demonstrate Strong People Management Skills
Since this role involves managing direct reports, think of examples where you've set clear performance goals and conducted regular reviews. Highlight your approach to fostering a collaborative environment and how you motivate your team to achieve their best.