Senior Product Developer - Food Industry
Senior Product Developer - Food Industry

Senior Product Developer - Food Industry

Full-Time 40000 - 45000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative food product development from concept to launch in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join Nature's Way Foods, a top manufacturer of fresh salads and 'food-to-go' products.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible benefits, and health cash plan.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on consumer products while working in an inclusive and diverse culture.
  • Qualifications: Experience in food product development and a degree in Food Science or related field preferred.
  • Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for growth in a rapidly expanding company.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 ÂŁ per year.

Are you passionate about turning consumer insights into standout products? Ready to make an impact in a fast-paced, innovation-led environment? Join us at Natures Way Foods and help shape the future of our category-leading portfolio.

As a Senior Product Developer, you'll play a key role in driving growth—across sales, profit, and market share—by leading the development of customer-centric NPD and EPD projects. Using your deep understanding of category trends and consumer behaviour, you’ll bring concepts to life, navigating our gated development process and collaborating across functions from ideation to launch.

What you get from us:

  • Base salary of ÂŁ40,000 - ÂŁ45,000 dependent on experience
  • Annual bonus
  • Employer matched pension up to 5%
  • Health cash plan
  • Flexible benefits including corporate gym discounts, shopping discounts, enhanced maternity & paternity policy and many more
  • Access to online GP & life assurance

Key responsibilities:

  • Act as the primary customer contact, ensuring clear communication and swift issue resolution
  • Lead the successful delivery of all development projects within your remit
  • Work with Category and Sales teams to turn insights into commercially viable products
  • Manage stakeholders within the gated development process, ensuring accountability and alignment
  • Support and develop Product Developers and Assistants to build team capability
  • Create products and propositions in line with customer briefs with Product Developers and Chefs, ensuring compliance with technical and sourcing policies
  • Ensure launches meet timelines, cost targets, and margin requirements
  • Own and manage the customer critical path through the NPD/EPD process
  • Contribute to a rolling 3-year customer development plan in partnership with senior Development, Sales, and Category teams
  • Oversee coordination of product samples with internal teams and customers

Requirements:

  • Extensive experience in food product development, ideally within a fast-paced, customer-facing environment
  • Strong knowledge of the UK retail landscape, including retailer processes and direct customer interaction
  • Solid understanding of food manufacturing, operations, and end-to-end NPD processes
  • Proven track record of successfully leading New Product Development projects within the food industry
  • Degree or HND in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline (desirable)
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong organisational and communication skills
  • Experience in chilled food development (desirable)
  • Familiarity with Point 74 Recipe Management System (desirable)
  • Full UK driving licence
  • Full-time role based at NWF, with a minimum expectation of 4 days per week on site

Nature’s Way Foods is the leading manufacturer of prepared salads, coleslaw and “food-to-go” for supermarkets, and as such we work closely with farmers across Europe. But there’s lots more to us than the products we make.

Our culture is inclusive, and our people are diverse spanning 39 different languages. We operate four manufacturing facilities capable of producing over 326m units per year. It is an exciting time to join Nature’s Way Foods as we are growing rapidly and there are genuine opportunities to progress within the organisation.

Interested?

Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV. We look forward to hearing from you.

At Nature's Way Food, we believe that diversity and inclusion are key to driving innovation and achieving excellence. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve and the world we live in. Join us in our mission to create a more inclusive and fairer world. Together, we can become best at fresh.

Senior Product Developer - Food Industry employer: Natures Way Foods

At Nature's Way Foods, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions innovation and inclusivity in the heart of Chichester. With competitive salaries, annual bonuses, and a range of flexible benefits, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally, while providing ample opportunities for growth within our rapidly expanding organisation. Join us and be part of a diverse team dedicated to shaping the future of the food industry, where your contributions truly make a difference.
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Contact Detail:

Natures Way Foods Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Product Developer - Food Industry

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the food industry, especially those related to consumer preferences and product innovation. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the food product development sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at Nature’s Way Foods.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of your past successes in leading New Product Development projects. Highlight how you turned consumer insights into successful products, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Nature’s Way Foods thoroughly, including their product range and company culture. Understanding their values and mission will allow you to tailor your conversations and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Developer - Food Industry

Food Product Development
Consumer Insights Analysis
Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Knowledge of UK Retail Landscape
Food Manufacturing Processes
End-to-End NPD Processes
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Team Leadership
Chilled Food Development
Recipe Management Systems
Problem-Solving Skills
Collaboration Skills
Time Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food product development, particularly in customer-facing roles. Emphasise any specific projects you've led that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for product development and your understanding of consumer insights. Mention how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for the role at Nature's Way Foods.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your proficiency in Microsoft Office and any experience with food manufacturing processes. If you have knowledge of the UK retail landscape or chilled food development, be sure to include that as well.

Showcase Your Teamwork Abilities: Since collaboration is key in this role, provide examples of how you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams in the past. This could include experiences where you managed stakeholders or supported junior team members.

How to prepare for a job interview at Natures Way Foods

✨Showcase Your Passion for Product Development

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food product development during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've turned consumer insights into successful products in the past, as this aligns perfectly with what the company is looking for.

✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the UK Retail Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in the UK retail market. Be prepared to discuss how your understanding of retailer processes can contribute to the company's success in developing commercially viable products.

✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions

Since the role involves managing stakeholders throughout the NPD process, think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder relationships. Highlight your communication skills and ability to ensure accountability and alignment.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration and Leadership

As a Senior Product Developer, you'll be expected to support and develop junior team members. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you foster collaboration within teams to achieve project goals.

Senior Product Developer - Food Industry
Natures Way Foods
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  • Senior Product Developer - Food Industry

    Full-Time
    40000 - 45000 ÂŁ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-05-27

  • N

    Natures Way Foods

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