Product Developer (Food & Grocery Non-Food)

About the role

At a Glance

2 Contract types available: Permanent or 1 year fixed term
 

Location: Bracknell based with hybrid working, expectation to attend the office 3 days per week
 

Salary: £48,300 - £77,200 per annum

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Waitrose Own Brand team as a Product Developer for food and grocery non-food.

We have two roles available, one permanent and a 1 year fixed term contract. There will be a question during the application process asking which role you would prefer to be considered for.

You will develop and deliver new & improved innovative and quality products, aligned to Own brand values whilst understanding and managing the commercial implications of development in the grocery environment.

You will build, strengthen and own the NPD relationships between Waitrose and suppliers within the projects being worked on.

Key responsibilities
 

Keeps abreast of customer strategy, insight, market direction and consumer trends including those in food and lifestyle, packaging and ingredients to anticipate current and future customer needs. Uses such insight together with internal and external sources of data to develop product proposition plans ensuring that speed to market and commercial viability is optimised.

Able to understand  and clearly articulate good, better and best tiering principles and apply with clear product values in line with the Waitrose own brand strategy.

Good understanding of NPD capability within the supply base to support quality & innovation. Uses knowledge to contribute to supplier strategy discussions for NPD to support the food (fresh & ambient) category requirements.

Collaborates with cross-functional teams on assigned projects to lead efficient delivery of NPD following a stage and gate development process ensuring critical path targets are met.

Essential skills

• A passion for product with an active interest in food and drinks market trends, with the ability to apply knowledge and skills to the product development

• Previous product development experience within Manufacturing or Retail, including experience in launching major NPD/Brand projects from end to end

• Proven history of high quality, commercially successful product development & supplier management

• Ability to analyse and interpret customer and market data

• Stakeholder management with ability to present at all levels

Desirable skills

• Further qualification in food, grocery, Horti

• Buying experience; product technical experience

• Project Management

Benefits of the Partnership and the role

• ️ - Full-time working holiday entitlement 25 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays

• ⚖ - Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our market leading equal parenthood leave Policy

• - Defined Contribution pension scheme where your contributions will be matched by the Partnership (up to 8% of pay) and, after three years’ service, you’ll receive an additional Partnership contribution of 4% of pay, regardless of whether you pay in or not

• - You’ll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete probation. That’s 25% off in John Lewis & Partners (12% off electrical products) and 20% in Waitrose & Partners. You’ll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount

• -  Simple cycle to work support scheme

• - Health Care cover

• - We’re really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain’s most beautiful areas and  you’re welcome to explore them from day 1

• -  Learn more about our extensive range of exciting benefits that you could enjoy when you join us, visit - https://www.jlpjobs.com/about/benefits/ 

Next steps

• The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to in time. (If internal, check your Workday notifications and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process")

• Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a 1 stage interview

• You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you 

• Thanks for your patience in the meantime and for showing an interest in joining JLP

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply early.

Internal Partners can view a copy of the full job outline here.

Internal use only

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About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note:

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting. If required, you’ll find out more about vetting throughout the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.