Product Development Controller in Middlesex

Product Development Controller in Middlesex

Middlesex Temporary 37800 - 46200 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product development for innovative food concepts and drive customer partnerships.
  • Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holidays, pension contributions, and exclusive employee discounts.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to gender equality and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while working with a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in product development and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.

Location: London Premier Park

Why Greencore?

Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we're one of the UK's leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we're proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between.

In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn. Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.

We have an excellent opportunity for a Product Development Controller to join our innovation team based out of either London Park Royal. This role will lead the team across deli, side of plate, quiche and dips for our Tesco business.

Role Purpose:

You will lead the product development team, driving the customer category food strategy to ensure profitable growth for both Greencore and our clients. You will also play a pivotal role in fostering strong customer partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Review all customer product development briefs to ensure they align with our food strategy, addressing any discrepancies as needed.
  • Lead your team in developing market-relevant, commercially viable product and packaging concepts, ensuring high quality and sustainability.
  • Engage with senior management stakeholders at each site to ensure strategic alignment across customer, category, and Greencore objectives.
  • Be a champion of our 'Great Food' principle, ensuring that food quality and innovation remain central to everything we do.
  • Utilise food trends and insights to shape product concepts, working in collaboration with the marketing and portfolio teams.
  • Set high standards for the Product Development team, ensuring excellence in food quality, customer communication, and operational processes.
  • Take responsibility for margin delivery by overseeing accurate product costing from concept to implementation, ensuring target costs are met or exceeded.
  • Provide strong leadership, ensuring your team is safe, engaged, and fully equipped to deliver outstanding results, with the right training and resources.
  • Ensure full compliance with Product Development procedures and policies, guaranteeing that products are developed correctly from the outset.

What We're Looking For:

  • Proven track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable commercial products.
  • Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to plan workloads effectively and focus teams to meet objectives.
  • In-depth knowledge of food and customer needs, along with the ability to engage and build strong relationships with clients.
  • Passion for great food, with a deep understanding of current and emerging trends in the food industry.
  • Excellent organisational skills to ensure smooth project execution and team alignment.

We're proud to be recognised in the Gender Equity Measure Top 100 for our commitment to gender equality.

What you'll get in return:

  • Competitive salary and job-related benefits
  • Holidays
  • Competitive matched pension contributions
  • Life insurance up to 4x salary
  • Company share save scheme
  • Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
  • Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
  • Enhanced parental leave and menopause policy

We reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the specified closing date.

Recruitment Fraud Warning:

Greencore and its recruitment partners never charge candidates any fees at any stage of the hiring process. Any request for payment relating to a job opportunity should be considered fraudulent.

Product Development Controller in Middlesex employer: Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group)

Greencore is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where quality and safety are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide numerous growth opportunities and a supportive culture that values teamwork and innovation. Our competitive salary package, along with benefits such as life insurance and pension contributions, makes Greencore a rewarding place to build your career in food safety and quality improvement.

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Contact Details:

Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Development Controller in Middlesex

Get Involved in Local Events

Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!

Join Industry-Specific Groups

Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group).

Consider Seasonal Opportunities

Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) during these periods, as they often look for extra support.

Got Skills? Show Them Off!

If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group). Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!

We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Controller in Middlesex

Leadership Skills
People Management
Product Development
Food Industry Knowledge
Customer Relationship Management
Project Execution
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group) – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.

Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.

How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group)

Brush Up on Food Safety Standards

In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!

Prepare for Practical Scenarios

Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group). They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.

Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends

Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group)'s projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.

Highlight the Learning Experience

Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!