Senior Product Developer

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Overview

This role may suit a Product Development technologist looking for their next challenge and an opportunity to work within an NPD team of chefs, technologists and dietitians with a track record of delivering market leading food innovation.

You would work closely with key stakeholders across the business to identify, develop and deliver new products and product improvements.

You would lead and support projects from ideation through to launch and manage them through our stage-gate development process, applying problem solving skills to overcome challenges and delivering food products that create real competitive advantage.

This exciting role will support sales growth through a customer focused , creative and proactive approach to product development and effective project management .

You must have a passion for great food and the drive for continual improvement of existing meals and desserts.

Who we are

About apetito

apetito is the UK's leading supplier of food to the health and social care sectors. Servicing over 400 hospitals, 450 care homes and thousands more through our work with Local Authorities, we produce delicious, nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home or in care. Through our food we look to make a real difference to all our customers, up and down the country.

Ethical & Sustainable

As a business which operates within food manufacturing, we believe we have an obligation to make a positive contribution on society. With over 300 products in our range, we ensure our produce is ethically and sustainably sourced, working only with suppliers who share our commitment to making a positive impact.

We're a proud member of the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs, that promote respect for workers rights globally. All our new suppliers now operate under the ETI's guidelines.

We are also a member of The UK's Plastics Pact, an initiative looking to transform the plastic packaging industry in the UK. As part of the initiative, we have committed, along with other ambitious targets, to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic completely by 2025.

We have also made a commitment to our employees - we're recognised as an accredited Living Wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation. Joining an elite group of FTSE 100 companies and public sector organisations.

In addition to your salary you will receive a comprehensive training program, 25 days annual leave holiday entitlement, the ability to buy additional annual leave, retail discounts, free car parking, subsidised staff restaurant, free turkey (or voucher) at Christmas and much more!

Responsibilities

New Product Development - Managing product development projects at all stages of the development process from idea generation stage through to launch whilst ensuring compliance with our development process and company policies.

Innovation - You will proactively identify new opportunities and innovations to improve our food offering , 'sell in' ideas to the business teams and manage agreed projects through to launch to create competitive advantage and deliver market leading solutions.

Product improvement e.g. Nutrition and Quality - You will need to work closely with our Dietitians, Chefs and Manufacturing , Category management and Purchasing teams to identify and deliver improvement opportunities, taking into consideration the needs of all stakeholders.

Cost reduction - You will identify and assist in the delivery of cost reduction opportunities whilst ensuring product quality is never compromised.

Team support - You will deputise for your line Manager , providing team leadership and project management support as required.

Qualifications/Personal Qualities

Essential for this role:

• A proven track record of success in food product development
• Experience of working with others to achieve successful project outcomes
• Experience of successful project management
• Good presentation skills
• A passion for great food
• Tenacious with the ability to drive projects forward to successful completion
• Creative and innovative
• Ability to influence others
• Good problem solving skills

Desirable for this role:

• Experience within frozen or chilled food manufacturing
• Experience within prepared meals
• Experience of identifying and delivering cost savings
• Good culinary and sensory skills
• Can demonstrate commercial awareness