Product Development Manager
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Pilgrims Europe Product & Innovation team with a 12‑month fixed‑term contract for a Product Development Manager in the Frozen Meals Function based at our Grantham site. This role will work closely with the New Product Development and New Product Introduction teams to nurture a food culture in the business, driving the creation of new products from initial concept to launch. The successful candidate will manage critical projects and timelines, delivering product launches that combine consumer insight and commercial viability.
Key Responsibilities
* Work closely with the Head of Product & process, development chefs, site and customer teams to determine customer‑oriented and commercially viable NPD activity.
* Organise innovation sessions internally and with customers, collaborating with the category team to bring market focus to all NPD.
* Ensure the Pilgrims’ Europe “Concept to Launch” gate process is adhered to at every stage, driving products through NPD, NPI and NWT teams.
* Generate a weekly NPD work‑plan, managing team workload and holidays.
* Complete regular one‑to‑ones with direct reports to align goals with business and site strategy.
* Lead and coach direct reports, maximizing potential and supporting high performance.
* Collaboratively create customer roadmaps with the NWT team, aligned to trends and site capability.
* Use Innovation Platforms to communicate forward‑looking plans, giving the business visibility and confidence in the opportunities.
* Deliver against budgets set by the business and contribute to customer E2E and DTV projects.
* Support customer‑facing teams on enquiries regarding the products, keeping them informed of outcomes and meeting their needs.
Required Skills & Knowledge
* Food‑related degree and/or a minimum of five years’ product development experience in the food industry.
* Experience with product costing, recipe development and P74 calculator.
* Experience running factory trials.
* Experience within a structured development environment using a stage‑gate process.
* Strong leadership and team‑management ability, plus project‑management skills.
* IT proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
* Ingredient knowledge and passion for food.
* Previous experience in the food industry.
* Full clean driving licence.
Benefits
* Competitive salary.
* Career development opportunities within a growing, forward‑thinking business.
* Competitive annual leave.
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
* Refer‑a‑Friend Scheme, Stars Awards, wellbeing initiatives and long‑service awards.
* Free site car parking, life assurance and many more.
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