So, what will I be doing?
At Yeo Valley, we’ve been making delicious, organic dairy products for over 50 years. As a family-run business, we believe in doing things the right way – sustainably, ethically, and with people at the heart of what we do.
Under the direction of the Senior Process Manager, as the Process Manager you will lead & manage, with the support of Senior/Process Technologists, the launching & evaluation of new & existing products within categories such as yogurt, ice cream, desserts, savoury & fruit.
You will collaborate and lead with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, high-quality product concepts aligned with customer and business priorities.
The role involves being the interface between site development processes, customers, and internal functions to ensure successful product launches from Gate 3 to 6. You will focus on improving and developing processes across five key areas:
* Supervising existing and developing new site processes
* Leading the Product & Material reformulation site plan
* Supporting Capital Projects alongside the Senior Process Manager
* Managing NPD/EPD site launches
This role is crucial in shaping the future of the Yeo Valley Product Portfolio.
Key responsibilities include:
* Being the nominated site lead contact for Yeo Valley Process Development for internal and external projects
* Developing and maintaining excellent customer relationships with defined retailers, explaining complex information clearly, and supporting junior team members
* Presenting factory trial products to customers and attending high-profile pre-productions when needed
* Managing trial requests from customers or internal colleagues for new products or business opportunities
* Being accountable for the performance of the site process team regarding NPD success and target achievement
* Coordinating the commissioning of new equipment to ensure smooth transition from previous processes
* Supporting the technical teams in maintaining quality management systems in compliance with legal, customer, and best practice standards
* Conducting process audits and supporting root cause analysis for quality or efficiency issues
This role is based at our Crewkerne site, with a 40-hour workweek (Monday - Friday).
What do I need?
Essential:
* Technical Skills: Expertise in product formulation & sensory analysis
* Project Management: Experience managing multiple product development projects, meeting deadlines, and resource management
* Knowledge of Ingredients: Strong understanding of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts, ice cream, savoury, or fruit
* Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively, lead within your expertise, and support team members
* Problem Solving: Troubleshooting skills, ability to analyze complex challenges, and familiarity with Root Cause Analysis
* Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Qualifications:
* Food qualification or previous experience in food manufacturing or catering
* Minimum 5 years post-graduate experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts, ice cream, savoury, or fruit, with some people management experience
Desirable Skills:
* Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with relevant legislation, standards, and HACCP
* Large Scale Capital Projects: Experience in managing or supporting such projects
* Business Acumen: Commercial awareness to identify opportunities and minimize costs
Personal Attributes:
* Detail-oriented with meticulous attention to documentation
* Adaptable to fast-paced environments and changing priorities
* Strong analytical skills for data interpretation
* Tenacious with a proactive attitude
* Self-driven with a growth mindset and initiative
* Ability to influence and drive change
* Hands-on and practical approach
* Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and database systems
* Influential, capable of guiding cross-functional teams with data-driven decisions
Why join us?
We’re an independent, British company producing high-quality yogurts, desserts, and ice cream for major UK retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1700 staff and produce more than 25% of the UK’s packaged yogurt.
Benefits include:
* Competitive holiday allowance
* Non-contributory pension scheme
* Life cover
* Healthcare cashback plan
* Cycle to work scheme
* Subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
* Partner discounts
* Annual bonus based on company performance
* Learning and development opportunities
Apply early as the closing date is a guide, and we may close the advert sooner. We recommend submitting your application promptly to avoid missing out!
Note: We cannot provide employment sponsorship currently. We only accept applications through our preferred recruitment portals, not speculative agency applications.
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