The Head of Product Development will play a pivotal role in leading an innovative and agile NPD team, creating an exciting environment where the team can thrive and others want to be part of, or collaborate with.
The Head of Product Development will work in partnership with other areas of the team to ensure the department delivers a continuous pipeline of differentiated, innovative product solutions in the wellbeing experience space. The role requires a strategic approach to innovation management and an ability to deliver creative solutions against an ambitious agenda, by finding new ways and thinking differently.
Excellent influencing and communications skills are a key enablers to this role; as is ensuring that the department is driven by leading edge thinking, consumer &market insight and trend-led needs.
We are looking for someone with the following:
Food Science degree (or similar) from a highly regarded food science-focused university
Extensive experience working in food or drink new product development in particular leading an NPD project from end to end; experience in pharmaceutical and/or functional food and drink highly beneficial
Demonstrable experience of translating NPD briefs into fantastic tasting products - A track record of success!
Extensive experience of working with external suppliers, universities and partners to deliver innovative product solutions
Experience of working with different countries and cultures
Awareness of supply and commercial environment and considerations
Skills & Experience required to be considered for this role:
Excellent communicator and influencer
Strong leader of people
Passionate about new trends and developments in food and drink market
Unquenchable curiosity about everything food, drink and wellbeing related
Creative thinker who challenges perceptions about what the future of healthy drinks could look like
Understands the commercial landscape of the business and the market and the impact of their role on this.
Ability to manage multiple projects
Ability to problem solve
Computer literate in Microsoft packages
Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships
Ability to work well under pressure and to tight timescales
Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and a fluid matrix structure Comfortable presenting to a wide variety of stakeholders
If you have the experience and are looking for a career move to join a highly regarded company who believe in aiming high, finding new ways to achieve collaboratively, all whilst having the freedom to act and develop your skills, then please do get in touch with our Head Consultant Louise Howard today.