At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development and drive innovation in our Italian ready meals range.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading creator of convenience food in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, holidays, pension contributions, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy on-the-job training and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact and shape product development processes in a vibrant team.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in product development and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Location: Warrington & Kiveton
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 team, this position will work across both the Kiveton and Warrington sites. You must have a driving license.
This role offers the chance to make a real impact within a growing team, helping to shape product development processes and drive innovation across our Italian ready meals range. It's a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to take ownership, influence key decisions, and play an important role in the continued success of the 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
- Greencore Qualifications
- Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
- Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
- Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies
Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on the job training.
Product Development Controller - Warrington employer: Greencore Group
Greencore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Warrington where innovation and quality are at the forefront of our mission to create delicious convenience food. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive training, competitive benefits, and a culture that champions collaboration and creativity, ensuring that every team member can make a meaningful impact on our product development processes. Join us to be part of a vibrant team dedicated to excellence and sustainability in the food industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Controller - Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Greencore on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Greencore's products and recent innovations. Show us that you're not just passionate about food but also understand our mission to make everyday taste better.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you've successfully led a team or driven a project. Be ready to share how you can inspire and manage a team to deliver outstanding results.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Greencore family.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Controller - Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Development Controller role. Highlight your experience in food product development and leadership skills, showing us how you align with our values and objectives.
Showcase Your Passion for Food:We love candidates who are passionate about great food! Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your understanding of food trends and your commitment to quality and sustainability in your application.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. We appreciate straightforward communication!
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 shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore Group
✨Know Your Product Development Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Greencore's product development processes and their Italian ready meals range. Familiarise yourself with their food strategy and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Product Development Controller, strong leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on how you managed workloads and drove results. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and engage your future team at Greencore.
✨Understand Food Trends and Customer Needs
Brush up on current and emerging food trends relevant to Greencore's market. Think about how these trends can influence product development and be prepared to share your insights during the interview. This will demonstrate your passion for great food and your ability to innovate.
✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about Greencore's product development strategies, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
