At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire R&D for innovative sweets, driving projects from concept to delivery.
- Company: Valeo Foods UK, home to beloved food brands and a culture of transformation.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape products and influence business direction in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Exciting chance to grow in a supportive, evolving company with big ideas.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced team and make a real impact on iconic UK brands.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science, strong R&D experience, and proven leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation. Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week.
As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK. Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.
We are looking for an Interim Head of R&D – Sweets to lead, inspire and elevate our innovation and delivery across the portfolio for a minimum of 3 months (looking for somebody to start asap). This is a high-impact, highly visible leadership role, one that blends strategy, delivery, and people leadership. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and love turning ideas into products that consumers love, you’ll feel right at home here.
This is a broad, high-impact leadership role across all confectionery R&D, covering both Valeo brands and retailer brands, in the UK and CEE. At its heart, your role is simple: set the standard, drive delivery, lead innovation, and build a brilliant team.
In practice, that means you’ll:
- Set the tone for R&D – bringing the right balance of creativity, rigour and discipline
- Keep the pipeline moving – ensuring innovation, renovation and productivity projects land on time and with pace
- Own the innovation agenda – shaping the sweets strategy and weaving ESG into everything we do
- Lead and grow the team – building capability, coaching talent, and creating a high-performing environment
Alongside that, you’ll:
- Work closely with Brand, Marketing and Commercial teams to bring great ideas to life
- Partner with customers and stakeholders to stay ahead of changing needs
- Strengthen how we deliver projects through clear, structured governance
- Make sure new launches work not just on paper, but in our factories
- Stay plugged into the outside world, spotting trends, technologies and new ideas worth exploring
We’re looking for someone who combines technical depth, commercial thinking and inspiring leadership. You’ll likely bring:
- A degree in Food Science or a related discipline
- Strong experience across the full R&D lifecycle, from insight to delivery and measurement
- A proven track record of leading teams and delivering tangible business results
- Experience working cross-functionally and influencing senior stakeholders
- A background in food or confectionery R&D, ideally within a fast-paced environment
And just as importantly, you are:
- A leader who can align, motivate and challenge
- Commercially minded, able to connect data with real-world business impact
- Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels
- A natural collaborator who can say what needs to be said—and bring people with you
- Someone who thrives on change, pace and continuous improvement
- Passionate about building teams that are better tomorrow than today
This is a chance to step into a true leadership role with breadth, visibility and influence—where you’ll shape not just products, but how we work as a business. You’ll join a company that’s growing, evolving, and full of opportunity, with the backing to bring big ideas to life.
Head of R&D - Interim employer: Valeo Foods
At Valeo Foods UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our investment in talent development and the opportunity to lead impactful projects within a portfolio of beloved brands. Join us in a fast-paced environment where your contributions will shape the future of food, supported by a global investment partner and a strong focus on quality and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of R&D - Interim
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like Valeo Foods face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at Valeo Foods.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like Valeo Foods during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at Valeo Foods. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of R&D - Interim
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to Valeo Foods immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and Valeo Foods – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Valeo Foods
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with Valeo Foods. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to Valeo Foods's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
