At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development in a collaborative environment focused on sustainability.
- Company: Join Yeo Valley, a community-driven organic dairy company committed to quality and the planet.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and impact in the food industry.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on creativity and sustainability in product development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food innovation while working with passionate teams and cutting-edge ideas.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in food NPD, strong project management, and team leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
At Yeo Valley, we’re more than just an organic dairy company – we’re a community rooted in the land, committed to sustainability, and passionate about producing quality food that nurtures people and planet. We are looking for a Senior Innovation Manager to join our Central Development Team on a full-time basis (40 hours per week - Monday - Friday). This role is located at our Newton Abbot site.
This is an essential role in the co-ordination of the Innovation Development team to deliver multi customer product launches across multiple categories to enable best-in-class innovation for our customers. Under the direction of the Head of Product- Own label, the Senior Innovation Manager will be responsible for the leadership of the Innovation Development function at Yeo Valley. This role is required to empower, lead & prioritise the workload of the innovation function, to successfully launch & evaluate the new & existing products within the categories of ice cream and desserts, ensuring the innovation team delivers the strategic demand pillar plans with rigor and pace.
This individual will work collaboratively with senior leadership peers from across the business to deliver best in class, trend setting, insight led innovation concepts that are aligned with customer & business strategies. The role requires the ability to oversee the development process with the customer and the internal functions from Gate 0 to 2 kitchen approval. Using advanced project management skills to solve complex problems and deliver highly complex projects:
- Encourage creative and WOW innovation that pushes boundaries
- Make “Better Impacts” through innovative product & new technologies
- Lead Capital Projects
This role is critical in shaping the future of the Yeo Valley Product Portfolio. Key responsibilities will include:
- Empower and lead Yeo Valley Innovation Development and be the senior contact for all internal and external projects associated with Innovation Development
- Lead the Innovation Team for all NPD projects from Gate 0 approval to Gate 2 and to identify potential platforms for new food opportunities, ensuring the relevant stakeholders are involved at the right stage and aligned, including chairing gate meetings and embedding best practice.
- Lead oversight and accountability for multiple project critical paths across multiple timelines, including project and stakeholder management, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies to ensure launches are delivered on time & in full across the portfolio
- To work collaboratively with Head of Process, R&D Team, Technical, Sourcing and Operations teams on new products, raw materials, packaging & factory processes
- Drive a passion for food and creativity to support NPD Pipeline planning for the future and getting ahead of the curve
- To drive down all aspects of Direct/Indirect costs to make a continual and sustainable improvement in profitability in areas that can be impacted by clever concept development.
- Influence other departments to adopt best in class procedures and ways of working
- Accountability of the teams performance to meet BRC and ISO accreditation standards adopted by the business and legislative standards
- Have overall accountability of the results and performance of Innovation Development with regards to NPD success and reaching targets/objectives
Essential:
- Technical Skills – Expertise in product trends, foodie vision
- Project Management - Experience in managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing resources effectively
- Knowledge of Ingredients - Strong understanding of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts & ice cream
- Teamwork – Ability to work well with a collaborative, cross-functional team environment and lead in own area of expertise. Ability to encourage & lead within own team
- Problem solving – Excellent troubleshooting skills and ability to analyse complex technical challenges & implement solutions. Support & mentor team members to reach solutions
- Communication - Excellent verbal & written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and data clearly to technical & non-technical stakeholders
Qualifications:
- Food qualification or previous food manufacturing or catering experience
- Minimum 8 years of experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts or ice cream.
- Essential people management experience
Desirable Skills:
- Industry Knowledge - Strong knowledge of Brands, values & processes as adopted by the retailers. Working knowledge of relevant legislation criteria and food production industry standards/HACCP
- Large Scale Capital Projects - Ideally experience in managing or supporting
Personal Attributes:
- Detail-Oriented – Meticulous attention to detail in both product development and documentation
- Adaptability – Able to work
Senior Innovation Manager - (Internal Applicants Only) employer: Yeo Valley Production Ltd
Join our dynamic team at Isleport, where we prioritise a supportive work culture and employee development. As a Logistics Yard Operative, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including a non-contributory pension scheme, healthcare cash back plan, and opportunities for personal growth, all while contributing to a safe and efficient distribution environment. Our commitment to quality and teamwork ensures that every day is rewarding and meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Innovation Manager - (Internal Applicants Only)
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Yeo Valley Production Ltd.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Yeo Valley Production Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Innovation Manager - (Internal Applicants Only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Yeo Valley Production Ltd that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Yeo Valley Production Ltd and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Yeo Valley Production Ltd
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Yeo Valley Production Ltd, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Yeo Valley Production Ltd that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Yeo Valley Production Ltd, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
