At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to launch, driving innovation and quality.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a leader in the food industry with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to quality and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food innovation and work on exciting products.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development within the food industry is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Location: Enniskillen - office-based role (5 days a week in the office)
Department: Product & Innovation
Reporting to: Head of Product & Process Development
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced and driven Product Development Manager to play a pivotal role in bringing new products to market - from concept through to successful launch. Working closely with site teams, customer innovation teams and the wider Pilgrim's Europe Product & Innovation Leadership Team, you will lead end-to-end NPD and EPD activity, ensuring alignment with customer strategies, commercial objectives and operational capability. This is a highly collaborative, influential role where you will shape the innovation agenda, champion feasibility and quality, and help drive the future food agenda at Pilgrim's Europe.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Head of Product & Process Development, Development Chefs and Customer Teams to deliver customer-focused, commercially viable NPD and EPD activity
- Ensure all product development meets customer Codes of Practice and relevant legislative requirements (including health, allergens, sustainability and welfare)
- Act as a key contributor across ideation, innovation, NPI and product launch, acting as the feasibility gatekeeper
- Become the Product & Innovation subject matter expert for your assigned category/categories
- Identify opportunities to improve existing products, supporting improved customer feedback, online reviews and value creation
- Own and drive the Concept to Launch Gate Process, ensuring products move smoothly through each stage
- Manage multiple projects and critical paths, providing clear communication and regular progress updates to stakeholders
- Ensure accurate product recipes and specifications are built into the recipe management system (P74) to enable robust costings
- Collaborate closely with Customer Teams to deliver against briefs and manage expectations, positioning Pilgrim's Europe as the preferred supplier
- Oversee product handovers to site cross-functional teams and approve new or amended artwork in line with legal and customer requirements
- Ensure all products presented to customers are of the highest quality and representative of the manufacturing process
- Champion quality, consistency and continuous improvement across development activities
- Support the development of best-in-class ways of working through benchmarking and innovation
- Deliver against functional KPIs, including % revenue from NPD and conversion rate targets
- Maintain accurate documentation to support internal and external audits
- Support, coach and develop the Product Development team to achieve high performance
- Ensure effective workload planning and clear project delegation
- Conduct regular one-to-ones and support personal development planning
- Create action plans to improve engagement and team effectiveness
- Stay at the forefront of food trends, consumer behaviour and market activity
- Bring passion for food, cuisines and innovation into internal and customer-facing activities
- Work with the Natural Work Team to create customer roadmaps aligned to trends and site capability
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a Product Development role within the food industry, with responsibility for launching products
- Strong experience in product costing, budgeting and commercial decision-making
- Supply chain experience, including ingredient and packaging sourcing
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams
- Strong analytical capability and exceptional attention to detail
- Confident communicator who thrives in a cross-functional environment
- IT proficiency (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Experience working with geographically distributed teams (desirable)
- Relevant food industry qualification and/or equivalent experience (Essential)
- Degree in Food, Marketing, Business or related discipline (Desirable)
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
At Pilgrim's Europe, innovation sits at the heart of what we do. You'll be part of a business with scale, ambition and strong customer partnerships, where product development plays a critical role in shaping future growth. We offer:
- A competitive salary
- Opportunities to influence innovation strategy at a site and customer level
- Career development within a leading European food business
- A collaborative, values-led culture where quality, ownership and practicality matter
- The chance to work on exciting, trend-led products that reach customers at scale
Ready to Apply?
If you're passionate about food, driven by innovation and excited by the challenge of delivering commercially successful products from concept to launch, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape the future of product innovation at Pilgrim's Europe.
The company Pilgrim's Europe produces some of the best-known and most iconic brands in the UK and Ireland, including Fridge Raiders, Rollover, Denny, Richmond, Oakhouse and Moy Park, alongside a diverse range of industry leading own-label products in categories including fresh pork, lamb and chicken, working with all the major retailers and food service outlets. Our portfolio extends to authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service products. Across Pilgrim's Europe we combine 20,000 of the best people in the industry, united by a shared set of core values and a passion for producing the highest quality, most delicious and innovative food, which is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, Ireland and Europe every day. Our Pilgrim's Europe team are based in our Pilgrim's UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim's Food Masters and Pilgrim's Shared Services businesses.
To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.
Product Development Manager TLNT1_NI in Omagh employer: IrishJobs
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to drive product development from concept to launch. Located in Enniskillen, our office-based environment offers a competitive salary, career development opportunities, and the chance to influence the future of food innovation while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to quality and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager TLNT1_NI in Omagh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work at Pilgrim's Europe. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Product Development Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Pilgrim's Europe, their products, and recent innovations. Show them you're not just passionate about food but also about what they do and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role. Highlight your project management skills and any successful product launches you've been part of. Confidence is key!
✨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 the team at Pilgrim's Europe. Let’s get you started on this exciting journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager TLNT1_NI in Omagh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in product development, especially in the food industry, and showcase any successful projects you've led from concept to launch.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for food and innovation. Mention how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for joining Pilgrim's Europe.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role involves managing multiple projects, be sure to highlight your project management experience. Include specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex workstreams and delivered results on time.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Pilgrim's Europe!
How to prepare for a job interview at IrishJobs
✨Know Your Product Development Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of product development in the food industry. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences with launching products, managing projects, and working with cross-functional teams. Highlight specific examples that showcase your ability to drive innovation and meet customer needs.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Product Development Manager, you'll need strong analytical capabilities. Prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions, improve existing products, or identify new opportunities. Bring examples of how your attention to detail has led to successful outcomes in past roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
This role requires excellent communication skills, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to explain complex ideas simply and engage in discussions about project management and stakeholder communication. Show that you can thrive in a collaborative environment by sharing how you've worked effectively with diverse teams.
✨Stay Ahead of Food Trends
Demonstrate your passion for food and innovation by discussing current trends in the industry. Research recent developments in consumer behaviour and market activity, and be ready to share your insights on how these trends could influence product development at Pilgrim's Europe. This will show your enthusiasm and commitment to staying relevant in the field.
