At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting food product development projects from concept to launch.
- Company: Join Pilgrims Europe, a forward-thinking food company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a values-driven team focused on trust, teamwork, and respect.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while nurturing your creativity.
- Qualifications: Food-related degree and 5 years of product development experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Pilgrims Europe Product & Innovation team as a Product Development Manager based at our Attleborough site on a 3‑month Fixed Term Contract. This role will work closely with the New Product Development and New Product Introduction teams to nurture a food culture in the business and help the company become a world‑class food company. You will collaborate with site and customer teams in all aspects of bringing new products to market – from the initial concept right through to product launch. The successful candidate will drive the management of projects and critical paths that lead to successful product launches, underpinned by consumer and commercial insight.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Head of Product & Process, Development Chefs, Site & Customer Teams to determine customer‑oriented and commercially viable NPD activity in response to customer briefs and innovation.
- Organise innovation sessions internally and with customers, collaborating with the category team to maintain a customer and market focus on all NPD.
- Ensure that the Pilgrims’ Europe Concept to Launch Gate process is adhered to through all stages, taking ownership and driving products with the NPD, NPI & NWT teams.
- Generate a weekly NPD work plan managing team workload and holidays.
- Complete regular one‑to‑one meetings with direct reports to align goals with business and site strategy.
- Lead and coach direct reports to maximise their potential and support high performance.
- Collaborate with the NWT to create customer roadmaps aligned to trends and site capability.
- Use the Innovation Platforms to communicate forward‑looking plans that give the business visibility and confidence that opportunities are being maximised.
- Deliver against budgets set by the business and contribute to customer E2E and DTV projects.
- Support customer‑facing teams for all enquiries concerning the products you are working on, keeping them informed of outcomes and ensuring their needs are met.
Skills and Knowledge
- Food‑related degree and/or a minimum of 5 years of Product Development experience in the food industry.
- Product costing and P74 recipe professor experience.
- Experience running factory trials.
- Experience working within a structured development environment using a stage‑gate process.
- Ability to lead and manage a team, in addition to managing their own portfolio of development projects.
- Strong project management skills.
- IT proficiency – Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
- Ingredient knowledge and food passion.
- Previous experience in the food industry.
- Must have a full clean driving license.
Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Generous holiday entitlement plus the option to buy additional days.
- Autonomy in how you deliver results.
- Comprehensive wellbeing support and employee assistance programmes.
- Professional development opportunities with access to leadership training and mentoring.
- Employee discounts and access to a range of benefits through our rewards platform.
- A values‑driven culture built on trust, teamwork, and respect.
Values
- Availability – We’re open and ready for new challenges.
- Humility – We listen, respect, and value every voice.
- Discipline – We deliver on our commitments.
- Sincerity – We are honest and authentic in every interaction.
- Simplicity, Ownership, and Determination – We focus on what matters most to achieve success together.
Product Development Manager Interim, Product Development Manager Interim in Attleborough employer: Pilgrims Europe
Join Pilgrims Europe as a Product Development Manager at our Attleborough site, where you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to fostering a world-class food culture. We offer a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and a values-driven work environment that prioritises trust, teamwork, and respect. With ample professional development opportunities and comprehensive wellbeing support, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the food industry while growing their career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager Interim, Product Development Manager Interim in Attleborough
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the food industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Show Off Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your love for food and product development shine through! Share your ideas and experiences that demonstrate your enthusiasm for bringing new products to market.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Think about how your skills align with their goals, especially around innovation and customer focus. Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss your project management experience.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Pilgrims Europe.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager Interim, Product Development Manager Interim in Attleborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Development Manager role. Highlight your food-related degree and relevant experience in product development, especially any projects that align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven successful product launches and collaborated with teams, showcasing your passion for food and innovation.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since strong project management skills are crucial for this position, be sure to include examples of how you've managed projects and critical paths in your previous roles. We want to see how you keep things on track!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Know Your NPD Process
Familiarise yourself with the Concept to Launch Gate process that Pilgrims Europe uses. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully navigated similar processes in your past roles, highlighting specific projects where you drove product launches from concept to market.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and coached teams in previous positions. Think about times when you aligned team goals with business strategies and how you maximised team performance. This will demonstrate your ability to manage direct reports effectively.
✨Bring Consumer Insights to the Table
Research current food trends and consumer preferences relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage these insights to inform product development and innovation sessions, showing that you understand the market and customer needs.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about project management and product costing. Brush up on your experience with factory trials and structured development environments. Being able to articulate your approach to managing multiple projects will set you apart as a strong candidate.
