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 launching and evaluating of new and existing products within the ice‑cream and desserts category. The role requires the overall ability to act as the interface of the site development process with the customer and the internal functions to deliver products from Gate 3 to 6 approval and ensure a successful product launch from the site.

The Process Manager will improve and develop processes and procedures across the site with the following main areas of focus:

• Supervising existing and developing new site processes
• Lead the Product & Material reformulation site plan
• Supporting Capital Projects with the Senior Process Manager
• Managing NPD/EPD site launches

Key Responsibilities:

• Nominated site lead contact for Yeo Valley Process Development for internal and external projects associated with assigned site
• Manage specific NPD projects from Gate 3 approval to Gate 6 Post Launch Review, ensuring the relevant stakeholders are involved at the right stage and aligned, and the business has clear visibility on the NPD agenda for the allocated site and the state of play on current projects
• Develop and maintain excellent customer relationships with defined retailers through a customer‑intimate approach
• Explain difficult or sensitive information and support more junior team members in this area
• Present and discuss factory trial products with the customer and, where applicable, attend high‑profile pre‑productions
• Manage trial requests from customers or internal colleagues for new business, new customers, product range presentations
• 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 the quality management systems and processes in line with legal, customer, company and other best‑practice requirements, which create, maintain and improve the integrity and food safety and quality of all products manufactured
• 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, and manage and implement the internal audit of these systems

Essential Technical Skills:

• Expertise in product formulation & sensory analysis
• Experience in managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing resources effectively
• Strong understanding of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts & ice cream, savoury or fruit
• Ability to work well with a collaborative, cross‑functional team environment and lead in own area of expertise; encourage and lead within own team
• Leads the team with troubleshooting skills & guidance. Ability to analyse complex technical challenges and implement solutions. Familiar with root‑cause analysis and mentor team members to reach solutions
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and data clearly to technical & non‑technical stakeholders
• Essential due to multi‑site locations

Qualifications:

• Food qualification or previous food manufacturing or catering experience
• Minimum 5 years of post‑graduate experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts, ice cream, savoury or fruit. Ideally some people management experience

Desirable Skills:

• Working knowledge of relevant legislation criteria and food production industry standards/HACCP
• Ideally experience in managing or supporting large scale capital projects
• Commercial awareness with the ability to identify & maximise opportunities while minimising costs

Personal Attributes:

• Meticulous attention to detail in both product development and documentation
• Able to work in a fast‑paced environment and adjust to changing priorities & project timelines. Resilience and supporting others are key
• Strong analytical skills, capable of interpreting data to guide decision‑making processes
• Tenacious & “can do” attitude
• Self‑driven with a growth mindset & can use initiative
• Desire and ability to influence & drive change
• Hands‑on & practical approach to working
• Good IT skills – Microsoft and database systems
• Ability to pull cross‑functional teams in one direction with the right level of data and detail to make decisions

Benefits:

• 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 our partners
• Learning and development opportunities