Product Development Manager in Hingham
Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager in Hingham

Hingham Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative food product development from concept to launch, collaborating with diverse teams.
  • Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a forward-thinking agri-food business committed to excellence.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a values-driven culture focused on trust, teamwork, and respect.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while nurturing a vibrant food culture.
  • Qualifications: Food-related degree and 5+ years of product development experience in the food sector.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Pilgrims Europe Product & Innovation team for a Product Development Manager based at our Attleborough site. This role will work closely with both the New Product Development & New Product Introduction Teams in nurturing a food culture in the business, in line with our journey to become a world class food company.

Working closely with our site & customer teams in all aspects of bringing new products to market - from the initial concept right through to product launch. The successful candidate will be driving the management of projects and critical paths which lead to successful product launches underpinned with consumer and commercial understanding.

Key areas of responsibility include (but are not limited to):

  • To work closely with the Head of Product & Process, Development Chefs, Site & Customer Teams to determine customer orientated and commercially viable NPD activity in response to customer briefs and innovation.
  • Organize innovation sessions internally and customer-facing, working in collaboration with the category team to bring customer and market focus to 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, through each Gate.
  • Generate a weekly NPD work plan managing team workload and holidays.
  • Complete regular one to ones with direct reports ensuring goals are aligned to the business & site strategy.
  • Lead & Coach direct reports to maximize potential & support high performance.
  • Collaboratively with the NWT create customer roadmaps aligned to trends and site capability.
  • Using the Innovation Platforms to communicate forward looking plans that gives the business visibility of and confidence in the fact that the opportunities are being maximized.
  • Deliver against budgets set by the business and contribute towards customer E2E and DTV projects.
  • Support customer facing teams for all enquiries concerning the products you're working on, keeping them informed of any outcomes and making sure that all their needs are met.

Skills and Knowledge:

  • Food related degree and/or a minimum of 5 years Product Development experience in the food industry is essential.
  • Product Costing & 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 manage their own portfolio of development projects.
  • Project management skills.
  • IT Proficiency – Excel/Word/PowerPoint.
  • Ingredient Knowledge/Food Passion.
  • Previous experience in the Food Industry.
  • Must have a full clean driving license.

Why Work for Pilgrim's Europe?

At Pilgrim's Europe, we recognise that our people drive our success. Joining us means becoming part of a respected and forward-thinking agri-food business committed to excellence, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

You will enjoy:

  • 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.

Our values shape everything we do at Pilgrim's Europe:

  • 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 in Hingham employer: Pilgrims Europe

At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Product Development Manager at our Attleborough site, you'll benefit from competitive salaries, generous holiday entitlements, and extensive professional development opportunities, all while contributing to a values-driven culture that prioritises teamwork and respect. Join us in our journey towards becoming a world-class food company, where your passion for innovation and commitment to excellence will be recognised and rewarded.
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Contact Detail:

Pilgrims Europe Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager in Hingham

✨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 land you an interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your passion for food! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your ideas about product development and innovation. Let them see your enthusiasm and knowledge about the industry.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by understanding Pilgrim's values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their commitment to excellence, sustainability, and teamwork. This will show you're not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Pilgrim's Europe.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager in Hingham

Product Development
Project Management
Team Leadership
Food Industry Knowledge
Stage Gate Process
Factory Trials Experience
Product Costing
Recipe Development
IT Proficiency (Excel/Word/PowerPoint)
Innovation Management
Customer Engagement
Market Analysis
Communication Skills
Collaboration Skills
Adaptability

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 projects that align with the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food innovation and how your skills can help us nurture a food culture at Pilgrim's Europe. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves managing projects and critical paths, make sure to highlight your project management experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led projects from concept to launch in your application.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe

✨Know Your Product Development Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of product development processes, especially in the food industry. Be ready to discuss your experience with the stage gate process and how you've successfully brought products to market in the past.

✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills

Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've led and coached others. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference in project outcomes or team performance.

✨Demonstrate Your Consumer Understanding

Pilgrim's Europe values consumer insight, so come equipped with examples of how you've used consumer feedback to drive product innovation. Discuss any market research you've conducted and how it influenced your decisions.

✨Prepare for Innovation Discussions

Innovation is key in this role, so think about how you can contribute to brainstorming sessions. Have a few ideas ready that align with current food trends and show how you can bring customer focus to new product development.

Product Development Manager in Hingham
Pilgrims Europe
Location: Hingham

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