Process Development Manager

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Join Our New Product Development Team at The Compleat Food Group!

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Process Development Manager to join our brilliant New Product Development Team, based in Poole.

At The Compleat Food Group we never just make food. We make food to feel good, taste good and do good for everyone. Our aim is to delight our customers and consumers every day, creating the best possible foods for shoppers needs and budgets.

Our site at Poole Bakery produces chilled savoury sausage rolls, hot pies, pasties and slices. The business has been producing products at its current site since 1937 and previously as Millers of Poole.

Our ability to drive category growth for our customers is through our focus on understanding our consumers and our relentless pursuit of innovation - we have the courage to think differently and challenge the status quo.

We work at the correct pace to make clear decisions and deliver on our commitments on time every time. Quality is at the heart of everything we do, always. We take in pride in everything we produce.

We value everybody who works in our organisation. Everyone is treated with respect and encouraged to thrive and develop. Together we will become number one for culture.

Location: Poole, BH15 2AS

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 17:00 with occasional flexibility required.

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 (plus 10% bonus)

Purpose:

To lead effective delivery of NPD, EPD and Continuous Improvement agenda in line with customer category plans and The Compleat Food Group brand.

Your Duties Will Include:

• Delivery of the NPD / EPD process from kitchen handover to launch in line with customer category plans through management of development work across the site
• Support refinement of product at kitchen stage to ensure manufacturing standards will be met, taking lead role in feasibility meetings and cost building
• Lead the Process teams to move product from kitchen to factory, ensuring all aspects of product quality are met and delivers the agreed margin.
• Manage the development work across the site to ensure that it is delivered to required cost and within agreed timescales.
• Accountable for all stages of critical path of projects with understanding of the implications and effects of deviations.
• Lead process team documentation to support product development to an auditable standard
• Lead the launch of product to agreed standards including leading launch meetings, running of the trial, and efficient handover to Technical and production teams
• Understand and drive proactive process development initiatives which push production boundaries
• Support post-launch review through work with Technical teams for ongoing assessment of product quality, solve manufacturing problems, driving continuous improvement, identify cost savings and efficiency to the business
• Promote health and safety culture by following all H&S requirements during kitchen and process development work
• Line management including regular 121 sessions, provide team updates, escalate areas of issues, mid-year and end of year appraisals
• Occasional ad hoc projects, which may require time spent at other sites across the business

Experience:

• Passion for food, looking to continue career within food manufacturing
• Experience of managing people with the development function
• HACCP / Food Safety Training
• Experience working with own label chilled foods
• Experience of dealing with customer relationships e.g. JS, Asda, M&S
• HND/Degree in food based/manufacturing subject (desirable)

Key Skills:

• Planning, organisation, and project management
• Communication at different levels of seniority across various teams
• Presentation skills
• Identifying solutions
• Basic computing skills

Qualities:

• A passion for food - product tasting is required across multiple categories
• Problem solving
• Enthusiasm to learn and grow
• Self-Motivated
• Flexible attitude
• A team player with well-developed interpersonal skills

Benefits to Include:

• 10% bonus
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and High-street retailer discount scheme and well-being portal
• On-site free parking and subsidised canteen
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid

The Compleat Food Group are proud to have built an inclusive and respectful culture where our colleagues feel safe, supported and valued. A place where they can bring their whole selves to work to achieve exceptional results and thrive.

We continue to attract diverse talent into our teams, because we know greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life. That's why we're committed to ensuring Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect in all that we do.

Recruitment Agencies We have an active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.