At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food product development from concept to launch, enhancing customer experiences.
- Company: Join apetito, the UK's leading food supplier dedicated to health and social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, bonus scheme, and great perks.
- Other info: Be part of a family-owned business committed to sustainability and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food innovation while working with passionate chefs and dietitians.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in food product development and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Can you bring exciting food to life and help create market leading meals and desserts? If you are inspired by all things food, thrive on solving problems, and get excited about turning ideas into reality, our Senior Product Developer role is for you.
We are seeking an experienced Product Developer to join our passionate team of chefs, technologists and dietitians who deliver award winning innovation, acting as a development lead on one of our market leading business units across key projects and programmes. This is a role where creativity meets technical expertise and where, as the lead developer, your work truly makes a difference to our customers across the UK.
You will play a pivotal part in leading and driving the Wiltshire Farm Foods product pipeline, improving current favourites, and pushing the boundaries of what great food can be. This is a hands on leadership role, where you will take ownership for delivering exceptional development projects and programmes from concept through to launch.
You will confidently navigate the stage gate process, ensuring every product meets our standards, policies and customer expectations, while guiding and influencing stakeholders throughout development. You'll identify emerging trends and opportunities, pitch exciting new ideas to the business, work closely with our Category Development team, and lead projects that enhance our customers' experience and deliver competitive advantage. This role is based at our UK Headquarters in Trowbridge Wiltshire.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage Wiltshire Farm Foods development programmes at all stages of the development process from concept through to launch.
- Provide leadership and team development support.
- Ensure compliance with apetito development processes and company policies.
- Deliver market leading innovative, proactive and responsive product development.
- Identify & deliver product quality, nutrition and cost improvements, taking account of the needs of all stakeholders.
- Support the improvement of Development processes and procedures.
- Proactively identify and propose new opportunities to improve our Wiltshire Farm Foods range.
- Manage and deliver projects directly assigned by the Head of Product & Process Development.
Qualifications/Personal Qualities
- Essential:
- Real passion for great food
- Proven track record in food product development
- Experience managing the transition of new products to full scale production (including factory trials).
- Ability to inspire and lead team and colleagues to deliver exceptional results
- Experience collaborating across teams to achieve successful outcomes
- Strong project management skills
- Great presentation and communication skills
- Creativity, persistence and resilience
- The ability to influence and motivate stakeholders
- Strong problem solving ability
- Desirable:
- Experience in chilled or frozen manufacturing
- Background in prepared meals categories
- Strong culinary or sensory evaluation skills
- Good commercial awareness
Company Benefits
- Competitive salary - accredited Living Wage employer
- 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
- Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
- Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
- Subsidised canteen
- Free parking
- Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
- apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts
Our Values
As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK's most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.
Senior Food Product Developer & Innovation Lead in Trowbridge employer: Job Search Place Limited
At apetito, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in food product development. Located at our UK Headquarters in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, we provide our employees with competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to personal growth through leadership opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of our customers while enjoying unique benefits like a subsidised canteen and a focus on sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Product Developer & Innovation Lead in Trowbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food innovation events, and connect with fellow food enthusiasts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your favourite food projects or innovations. Let them see your creativity and enthusiasm – it’s contagious!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s products and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around improving customer experiences and pushing culinary boundaries.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at apetito.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Product Developer & Innovation Lead in Trowbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:Let your love for food shine through in your application! Share specific examples of how you've brought exciting food ideas to life, and don't be shy about showcasing your creativity and technical expertise.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in food product development. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Wiltshire Farm Foods, so be specific about your achievements!
Highlight Team Collaboration:Since this role involves working closely with chefs, technologists, and dietitians, emphasise your experience in collaborating across teams. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead others towards exceptional results.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success! It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you on the path to joining our passionate team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Food Trends
Stay updated on the latest food trends and innovations. Research what’s currently popular in the market, especially in the ready meal sector. This will not only help you pitch ideas but also show your passion for great food during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've managed from concept to launch. Highlight your ability to navigate the stage gate process and how you’ve successfully led teams through challenges. Use examples that demonstrate your strong project management skills.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about compliance with development processes and how you ensure product quality. Brush up on your technical knowledge related to food product development, including factory trials and sensory evaluation, to confidently answer these queries.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
Think about how you inspire and lead teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've motivated colleagues and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. This will showcase your leadership qualities and align with the hands-on nature of the role.
