At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting food projects from concept to launch, ensuring timely delivery and innovation.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and job-related perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food development while working with creative minds.
- Qualifications: Experience in food product development and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and mentorship in a dynamic team environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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 team at our team in Northampton for a 12 Month FTC! As Product Development Manager, you will lead the delivery of new and exciting food concepts, ensuring projects move seamlessly from idea to launch. You will work closely with the customer and internal teams to manage multiple briefs, bringing creativity and strategic thinking to every stage of development.
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.
This role will require some travel to our Atherstone site and therefore the successful applicant will need a valid UK driving licence.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven 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.
- 25 days Holidays plus.
Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC - Northampton employer: Greencore Group
Contact Detail:
Greencore Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC - Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work at Greencore 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 practising common questions related to product development. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We want you to show off your creativity and project management skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your passion for food! Whether it’s through personal projects or previous work, let your enthusiasm shine through. It’s all about connecting with the company’s mission to make everyday taste better.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC - Northampton
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 creativity and leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
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 sure to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage multiple briefs effectively.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Product Development Manager, strong communication is key. In your application, highlight instances where you've successfully collaborated with teams or influenced stakeholders. We love seeing examples of how you’ve built relationships and driven progress!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our vibrant team at Greencore!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore Group
✨Know Your Product Development Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of product development in the food industry. Be ready to discuss recent trends, innovative concepts, and how you can bring creativity to the role. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also passionate about the field.
✨Master the Art of Project Management
Since project management is key for this role, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple briefs and driven projects from concept to launch. Highlight your ability to keep things on track and how you handle challenges along the way.
✨Build Rapport with Your Interviewers
Remember, this role involves collaboration with various teams. During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Show your communication skills and ability to influence by engaging them in conversation about their experiences and insights in product development.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a natural leader, be prepared to discuss how you inspire and mentor others. Share specific examples of how you've supported team members in their growth and success. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a manager, but someone who genuinely cares about developing talent within the team.