New Product Development Process Manager (14 month FTC)

At Yeo Valley, we’ve been making delicious, organic dairy products for over 50 years. As a family‑run business, we believe in doing things the right way – sustainably, ethically, and with people at the heart of what we do. We are looking for a Process Manager to join our Central Development Team on a 14‑month FTC to cover maternity leave. This role will be based at our Newton Abbot site and the working hours are 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday).

Under the direction of the Senior Process Manager, the Process Manager will lead and manage, with the support of Senior Process Technologists, the launch and evaluation of new and existing products within the ice‑cream and desserts category. The role requires the overall ability to serve as the interface of the site development process with the customer and the internal functions to deliver products from Gate 3 to Gate 6 approval and ensure a successful product launch from the site.

• Supervising existing and developing new site processes.
• Lead the Product & Material reformulation site plan.
• Support Capital Projects with the Senior Process Manager.
• Manage NPD/EPD site launches.
• Act as the nominated site lead contact for Process Development for internal and external projects.
• Manage specific NPD projects from Gate 3 approval to Gate 6 post‑launch review, ensuring stakeholders are involved at the right stage and the business has clear visibility on the NPD agenda.
• Develop and maintain excellent customer relationships with defined retailers through a customer‑intimate approach.
• Present and discuss factory trial products with the customer and attend high‑profile pre‑productions when applicable.
• Manage trial requests from customers or internal colleagues for new business, new customers, and product range presentations.
• Hold accountability for the results and performance of the site process team with regards to NPD success and reaching targets/objectives.
• Assist the technical teams in maintaining and improving the quality management systems and processes in line with legal, customer, company and other best practice requirements.
• Conduct process audits and support root‑cause analysis when quality or efficiency issues arise.
• Own the Process Development Systems for the site and ensure they are always up to date, including managing and implementing the internal audit of these systems.

• Technical expertise in formulation and sensory analysis.
• Project management experience managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and resources.
• Strong knowledge of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts, ice‑cream, savoury or fruit ingredients.
• Strong teamwork and leadership skills within own area of expertise.
• Problem‑solving with root‑cause analysis and mentoring team members.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to present ideas and data clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Valid driver’s licence due to multi‑site locations.

• Food qualification or previous food manufacturing or catering experience.
• Minimum five years post‑graduate experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts, ice‑cream, savoury or fruit. Some people‑management experience is ideal.

• Working knowledge of relevant legislation, criteria and food production industry standards / HACCP.
• Experience in managing or supporting large‑scale capital projects.
• Business acumen with commercial awareness, identifying and maximising opportunities while minimising costs.

• Detail‑oriented with meticulous attention to product development and documentation.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast‑paced environment, adjusting to changing priorities and project timelines.
• Analytical thinker, capable of interpreting data to guide decisions.
• Tenacious “can‑do” attitude with self‑driven growth mindset.
• Desire and ability to influence and drive change.
• Hands‑on practical approach to work.
• Good IT skills – Microsoft and database systems.
• Influential, able to pull cross‑functional teams in one direction with data and detail to make decisions.

• Competitive holiday allowance.
• Non‑contributory pension scheme.
• Life cover.
• Healthcare cash‑back plan.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Subsidised Yeo Valley products and services.
• Preferential rates with partners.
• Learning and development opportunities.

We’re independent, British and proud to be making the highest quality yogurts, desserts, and ice‑cream under the Yeo Valley brand for many of the UK’s major retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1900 staff and produce more than 25 % of the UK’s packaged yogurt.

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to provide employment sponsorship at this moment in time. We do not accept speculative agency applications; we only accept applications from preferred suppliers submitted via our recruitment portal at the point of instruction.