Assistant Product Development Manager - Nomad Foods : Job Details

Assistant Product Development Manager - Poultry Lowestoft, Suffolk - Hybrid

Who are we?

Headquartered in the UK, with revenues of €2.9 billion and operations in 22 key markets, Nomad Foods is Europe's leading frozen food company. We are a young company, founded only eight years ago, and built around a number of iconic brands (including Birds Eye, Findus and iglo and more recently Ledo and Frikom) that invented the frozen category 100 years ago and continue to set the bar for great taste, nutrition, convenience and affordability. Across everything we do, we are guided by our Purpose - Serving the World with Better Food - and how we can make a positive impact on our Performance, People and the Planet.

About the role:

This is exciting role if you enjoy being part of a team who is responsible for the development of some of the highest selling frozen foods in Europe, as we have a team of talented individual with vase range of experience of using data/ consumer insight to understand our consumers needs and using that information to be innovated new flavours/ products while keeping to Nomad foods core values of loving food and get It done as one team. Stakeholder engagement is a key part of this role as we will give you the platform to be our link between our production line/ consumer insight and our development team.

The assistant product development manager role is an important role in RDQ organization which requires experience in product development and technical project management to implement the agreed programs of work. This can be focused toward design or implementation or cover the breadth of the NPD process, innovation, renovations and maintenance activities eg cost savings - as business priorities demand.

Key accountabilities:

Technical project management of complex NPD & EPD projects in accordance with the agreed procedures to ensure successful and timely delivery of the projects

• Represent RDQ Implementation within cross-functional teams to deliver range extensions, renovations, innovations, and cost savings across UK & EU projects.
• Provide technical knowledge to ensure all product executions are right first time, profitable, competitive, legal & meet brand requirements.
• Ensure product approval process is completed (including actions identified) and responsibility transferred to SU & QA.
• Works with project team and builds strong relationships across multiple functions.

Good knowledge of ingredients, supply chains & manufacturing processes through close supplier & factory interaction

• Ensure all products/prototypes used for consumer research are safe and representative.
• Ensure all necessary trials are completed satisfactorily and documented, reference samples stored & risks communicated. Monitor costs of trials.
• Ensure the appropriate post-trial testing programs are well considered & implemented successfully to enable correct recommendations are made in execution of projects.
• Generate accurate technical data and writing of ingredient & product related specifications, considering & writing Safety by Design, whilst ensuring ingredient & products are harmonised / efficiently managed wherever possible.

Build & maintain strong relationships with colleagues in RDQ & other functions (MU’s, SU’s, TQS, Procurement & Category Marketing)

• Ensure smooth project management across the project team with close interaction with Regional & Category RDQ teams as required.

• Encourages cross fertilisation of knowledge with wider RDQ colleagues
• Take responsibility for self-development and exhibit Nomad cultural behaviours

About you:

We need an experienced talent with a creative mindset as this role is heavily focused on innovation and renovation of new products. This is a hands role so will need you be confident in working within a factory environment and understand the safety and regulations. Stakeholder experience and understanding how to partner with people is super important as the core responsibilities will involve working closely with our factory stuff to potentially stop/ amend productions. If you have dietary requirement this role might be challenging for you as we will need you to create/ sample range of our new product which includes (Chicken/ lamb/ Pork/ fish and Dairy products).

Qualification/ experienced needed:

• Relevant Science Degree - eg Food Science, or 2+ years proven experience working in FMCG product development role
• Basic understanding of UK & EU regulation and legal labelling is a benefit
• English speaking incl technical language.
• Full UK driving licence (as some travel may be required)

What we can offer you:

We’re on an exceptional adventure and can offer a truly purpose led career with flexibility. In addition, you will benefit from the below:

• An ambitious employer with recognized brands and growth potential
• The potential to progress your career across different areas of Birds Eye and Nomad Foods
• A culture where your part of a team, where you feel encouraged to make a difference
• A competitive salary, and excellent bonus structure

To view the full job profile and to apply, please click on the apply button above which will divert you to our careers site.

We look forward to receiving your application.

At Nomad Foods we're proud to represent the world we serve by hiring diverse talent. Our inclusive culture is all about what we can achieve together.