Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting food product ideas from concept to launch in a dynamic team.
  • Company: Join Greencore, a top UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holidays, pension contributions, and exclusive employee discounts.
  • Other info: Collaborative atmosphere with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on food innovation while working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in food product development and strong project management skills required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Location: Spalding

Why Greencore?

Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we are 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 are 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 Manager to join our Innovation team at our West Marsh Road facility in Spalding. This is a busy, exciting role offering exposure to a wide range of product categories and customer accounts, with the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where no two days are the same.

The Role

As Product Development Manager, you will steer bold new ideas from spark to shelf. You will drive multiple projects at pace, shaping concepts that excite customers and energise our teams. You will be working closely with customers and internal teams to deliver and lead our future of food agenda.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Taking ownership of development briefs from concept through to launch, ensuring each project is delivered on time and in full.
  • Managing the critical path and driving progress across multiple workstreams.
  • Building and maintaining a strong, collaborative relationship with our customers' technologists and buyers.
  • Bringing strategic insight and forward-thinking to future development plans, helping the team stay ahead of trends and customer expectations.
  • Encouraging innovation, creativity, and excellence in every product we deliver.
  • Leading with influence and confidence, ensuring clarity and momentum across the team.
  • Supporting and mentoring technologists and developers, helping them to grow and succeed.

What We're Looking For

  • Significant experience in product development within food manufacturing.
  • Strong project management skills with a proven ability to manage the critical path and multiple briefs.
  • A confident, collaborative communicator with the ability to influence at all levels.
  • Creative thinker with a strong commercial awareness and genuine passion for food.
  • A natural leader who can inspire, challenge, and drive progress.

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 policies

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

Product Development Manager employer: Greencore (Formally Bakkavor Group)

Greencore is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Spalding. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive development opportunities alongside competitive benefits, including a four-day work week, enhanced parental leave, and a comprehensive wellbeing platform. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that is passionate about creating delicious food and making everyday taste better.

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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 Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who work at Greencore. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you stand out.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Greencore’s products and recent innovations. Show us you’re passionate about making everyday taste better and how you can contribute to that mission.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Product Development Manager. Highlight your project management skills and how you’ve driven successful product launches in the past.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our exciting future.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager

Product Development
Project Management
Critical Path Management
Collaboration
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Creativity

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and project management, and don’t forget to showcase your creative thinking and leadership skills!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about food and how your background aligns with our mission at Greencore. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage multiple projects and drive innovation. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the quickest way for us to see your application and get you into the process. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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

Know Your Product Development Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of product development in the food manufacturing sector. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on how you drove them from concept to launch. This will show your potential employer that you have the hands-on experience they’re looking for.

Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your project management abilities, especially how you've handled multiple briefs and managed critical paths. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.

Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit

Since this role involves working closely with customers and internal teams, be ready to share stories about how you've built strong relationships in previous roles. Highlight instances where your collaborative approach led to successful outcomes, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for.

Bring Your Creative Ideas to the Table

Think about innovative ideas or trends in food that excite you and be prepared to discuss them. This shows your passion for food and your ability to think strategically about future development plans, which is crucial for a Product Development Manager.