Product Development Manager

Just Food Recruitment are recruiting on behalf of this market-leading food manufacturer to recruit an experienced product development manager from within the food manufacturing arena. Job Purpose: To lead Innovation, Research & Development projects and manage the Development team. To propose new and innovative products, and to communicate the benefits of these both internally and to customers. To manage and lead the development team personnel.Must Haves: A food science degree or an extensive food technology background, preferably at a senior level A thorough understanding of process-mapping of food products Extensive experience in understanding, analysing and presenting data Intermediate to advanced level in Excel The ability to drive projects and tasks through to completion both through delegation and independently Strong leadership skills & the ability to lead product development via understanding of technology consumer, sensory inputs and relevant processes. Good attention to detail, accurate record-keeping and strong organisational skills Good grounding in sciences as well as Food Safety and Regulatory standards. Experience of managing a small team of specialists including the Company ChefRole Accountabilities: Lead the team in developing and innovating new products and processes with ownership of projects from concept to launch. Oversee the development of new products and record all required information to generate an accurate costing of materials and processes in line with business procedures Design products according to business and customer defined scopes, including patients and service users Gain and communicate knowledge of key ingredients, equipment or processes through conducting trials and Research & Development. Ensure that facts, ideas and proposals are clearly and accurately described to customers, and within the business. Be an expert source of advice to the wider business unit regarding competition, food trends and initiatives within the healthcare and care sectors and the wider market. Build strong relationships with suppliers, customers, service users colleagues in other functions. Plan and organise resources, including the development team personnel to achieve the day-to-day delivery of trials and projects in line with business timescales and customer requirements. Lead on the monitoring and benchmarking of product quality of new and existing products. Ensure the team operates in a safe working manner and supports the site/business on continuous improvement relating to health, safety and the environment. 1Ensure that all food safety standards are met, observed and adhered to at all times. Ensure that the team is managed in line with all applicable company policies and best practice.To learn more about this role and to discuss it confidentially, please apply and a member of the team will be in touch.Just Food Recruitment are operating on behalf of the hiring company under the guise of a recruitment agency,