Innovation Project Manager in Manchester

The Innovation Project Manager will directly report into and support the Head of Innovation. They will be responsible for managing new and existing product development from concept to launch. Working closely with our bakery partners they will need to use their knowledge and stakeholder management skills to launch successfully.

Responsibilities

• Lead new & existing product development through the St Pierre Stage & Gate process
• Guide our bakery partners in developing market leading products
• Evaluate and critique new product concepts and competitor launches
• Build strong relationships with bakery partners and St Pierre project team
• Create and manage the critical path
• Organise project meetings, ensuring outcomes are communicated to the team
• Validate shelf life and report micro and organoleptic findings
• Write detailed Quality Assurance Specs for new products
• Attend and approve trials & first production
• Successfully handover launched products to Quality & Compliance team

Qualifications

• Food sector experience in NPD / project management (essential)
• Understanding of the bakery sector (advantage)
• Flexibility and interest to travel internationally
• Experience in carrying out product evaluation and critique
• Good report writing and presentation skills
• Well organised with good attention to detail
• The ability to work across several projects and meet tight deadlines
• A passion for food

Benefits

• Annual bonus (details to be provided)
• Defined contribution pension scheme (8% employer, minimum 1% employee contribution)
• Private Health Insurance and Medicash (after 3 months service)
• International Travel Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Annual Leave of 27 days + 1 day for your Birthday + statutory days
• Flexible working (start time between 8am-10am) + early Friday finish.
• Hybrid working with a mix of 3x onsite and 2x remote days.
• Excellent work location at Didsbury Towers with onsite café, parking, and events.