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- Tasks: Lead product development and optimise food products for better pricing and quality.
- Company: Join Sysco, a global leader in foodservice with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company car allowance, generous holidays, and discounts on food and entertainment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in food product development and project management skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sysco are looking for a Product Development Manager to join the Merchandising team on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract, reporting into the Senior Product Development Manager. The Product Development Manager (PDM) makes recommendations to reduce COG's through Product Optimisation, Lean Manufacturing and Re-sourcing. Their knowledge of the Product, Market and Processes enables the achievement of the best possible price in conjunction with the Purchasing Managers (PM's). This role is offering a hybrid working contract, with 2-3 days per week in the Ashford, Kent office, so you must be within a commutable distance.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
- Reporting to the Senior Product Development Manager and working alongside the Product Development Executive for the Centre of Plate category.
- Build strategic supplier relationships.
- The Sysco Brand and subsidiary brands are built on a tiering architecture, which must be maintained and will evolve over time; as a PDM it’s their role to be the custodians of these tiering attributes, and the evolutions on all own brand developments whether new or existing.
- Management of the food specification and artwork of any new launches, product or supplier changes.
- Working alongside the Technical, Merchandising and Buying teams, drive category sales & margin performance by taking cost out of the products and processes without changing customers' perception of quality or performance.
- Ensuring that we have the best possible price against each spec.
- Within each spec, what can be changed to deliver more value.
- Understanding the different Production Processes each supplier operates and recommend/push best practice through.
- Investigating all opportunities including making proactive changes up front that includes pack changes, pack weights, supply chain, re-sourcing and spec changes.
- Challenge each cost increase and come up with suitable alternatives to mitigate the full impact of inflation and/or by challenging the Process and Market mitigate the inflation in total.
- Improve the quality of the product at the same price as the current product.
- Lead all initiatives by owning the critical path and ensuring that everyone involved meets the deadlines.
- Attending factory trials and first production runs.
- Benchmarking products in the marketplace and put forward suggestions based on learnings with regards to quality and price.
- Supporting Range Reviews and identifying with the Merchandising Managers where products are over or under spec'd.
- Ensuring that all products are launched within the Sysco branding criteria.
- Support all Tenders, Auctions and Resourcing exercises.
- Support the team in Strengthening / Consolidating the supply base.
About you:
The successful candidate will have previous experience in a similar NPD manufacturing / food product role looking to join a global organisation for the next step in their career. To be successful in the role you will have an extensive food product background and knowledge of online food specification systems. You will have project management experience and possess the commercial business awareness needed to communicate with various levels of stakeholders. You will have the ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve your targets.
What you’ll receive:
- Company car allowance of £5,500.
- Life Assurance.
- Generous holiday allowance of 25 days + bank holidays, with option to purchase additional holidays.
- Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-winning products through our staff shop.
- Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sysco benefits portal.
- Recognition awards and Incentives.
- Real career opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens up a world of possibility.
Additional Information:
At Sysco GB everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Sysco GB and we recognise that Sysco GB can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We’ll do everything we can to support during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you.
Product Development Manager in Ashford employer: Fresh Direct
Contact Detail:
Fresh Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Sysco. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff. Research Sysco's products and their market position. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Product Development Manager. Highlight your past successes in product optimisation and cost reduction.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Sysco team.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in product optimisation and lean manufacturing, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you’ve driven category sales or improved product quality. This helps us see the value you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your passion for food product development shines through. We appreciate straightforward communication, so let’s keep it simple!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Sysco and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fresh Direct
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the products you'll be working with. Research Sysco's product range and be ready to discuss how you can optimise them. Think about ways to reduce costs while maintaining quality, as this will show your alignment with the role's key responsibilities.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed projects. Highlight your ability to lead initiatives, meet deadlines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This will demonstrate that you can handle the critical path ownership mentioned in the job description.
✨Build Strategic Supplier Relationships
Be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained supplier relationships in previous roles. Think of specific strategies you've used to strengthen these partnerships, as this is crucial for the role. Showing that you understand the importance of collaboration will set you apart.
✨Emphasise Your Commercial Awareness
During the interview, make sure to highlight your commercial business awareness. Discuss how you've navigated cost increases or market changes in the past. This will show that you can challenge costs effectively and find suitable alternatives, which is a key part of the role.
