Who We Are
Simply Lunch is a rapidly growing, private family-owned food-to-go manufacturer based in London. Our commitment to delicious food and our local communities has been central to our South London business since it was founded in 1979. Today, we are as committed as ever to creating high-quality hand-crafted products, made to improve lives and protect our beautiful planet. All our food is handmade at our facility in South London with the same care, love and admiration that we’ve shown since day one. Our talented team fuels the success at Simply Lunch, combining expertise and passion to craft products that improve lives through delicious food.
The Role
This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll shape and drive our product development function, bringing delicious, innovative products to market that genuinely improve people’s lives.
You’ll take ownership of the NPD strategy, lead cross-functional projects, and act as the key link between internal teams and external customers. If you thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and have a passion for food innovation, this could be the perfect opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
* Own, develop, and continuously improve the product development critical path
* Lead projects from concept through to launch, managing all stage gates
* Act as the central point of contact for internal teams and external customers
* Prepare and present key documentation throughout the development process
* Ensure an agile, solutions-focused approach to meet deadlines
* Lead, mentor, and develop the NPD team, managing workload and performance
* Build strong, trusted relationships with customers
* Work closely with chefs to translate briefs into commercially viable, standout products
* Stay ahead of food-to-go market trends and drive innovation
* Conduct benchmarking and gap analysis against competitors
* Develop deep knowledge of products, ingredients, and manufacturing processes
* Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture
What We’re Looking For
Experience & Qualifications:
* Proven track record in food product development, ideally within the food-to-go category
* Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and cross-functional requirements
* Experience managing teams and leading departments
* Customer-facing experience, ideally with retail or foodservice clients
Key Skills:
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management
* Strong project management and organisational skills
* Process-driven mindset with the ability to improve systems
* Commercial awareness and market insight
* Problem-solving and decision-making ability
* Adaptability in a fast-moving environment
* Ability to influence and drive change
* Passion for food innovation
What You’ll Get in Return
At Simply Lunch, we believe our people are at the heart of our success. We’re committed to creating an environment where you can thrive, grow, and genuinely enjoy coming to work.
* Free lunch and beverages every day
* Regular social events – from summer & Christmas parties to BBQs, pizza days, sweet treats, and even ice cream vans
* Ongoing training and development opportunities
* A clear commitment to helping you progress your career
* Cash plan and financial wellbeing support
* Discounted car repairs and MOT
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Access to mental health champions
* Wellbeing and support services
* 33 days annual leave
* One paid charity day each year to support a cause you care about
* Long service awards to celebrate your commitment
Why Join Us?
This is more than just a role, it’s an opportunity to shape the future of product innovation within a fast-growing, ambitious business. You’ll have real ownership, the chance to make an impact, and the support to grow your career.
Diversity and Inclusion
Like many other organisations, we are considering with renewed focus what Diversity means to us. What may have been acceptable a short time ago is not sufficient for the future, so we are dedicating a lot of time and resources to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, especially those who are often excluded or underrepresented.
If you feel that you do not see yourself represented either in the cultural sector or in this professional area because of any part of your identity that makes you special, we would especially like to hear from you.
👉 Ready to take the next step? Apply now or get in touch to find out more.
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