Yeo Valley Organic · 17 hours ago
Innovation Manager - Fruit (Fixed Term Contract)
Location, WV
Contract
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expYeo Valley Organic is a community-focused organic dairy company committed to sustainability and quality food production. They are seeking an Innovation Manager - Fruit to lead the development of new products in the yogurt, ice cream, and desserts categories, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product delivery and customer satisfaction.
Food & Beverages
No H1B
Responsibilities
Coordination and management of critical paths aligned with stakeholders’ key dates and stages. Ability to identify, solve and communicate problems and resolutions internally and externally. Understanding the broader impacts across the department
Liaise closely with Insight Manager to provide expertise in food and eating trends and recipe formulation through insight led NPD, food safaris and trawls
To develop and maintain excellent customer relationships with defined retailers through a customer ‘intimate’ approach. Must be able to explain difficult or sensitive information and be willing to step in & support more junior team members in this area
To work collaboratively with Process, Technical, Sourcing and Operations teams on new products, raw materials, packaging & factory processes
To manage & track the costing from the signed off kitchen concept through to the 12-week post launch review
To advise on design for manufacture, ensuring that all operational, supply chain and technical capabilities and limitations are understood, potential issues are identified early on, and workable solutions progressed collaboratively with the relevant team
To present and discuss new concept and product ideas with the customer
Working collaboratively with Commercial team to complete the Feasibility Gate and discuss with relevant stakeholders
Commercial acumen – cost recipes and ensure they meet the cost of goods targets agreed with Commercial. Ensure budgets are met and integrates with others to achieve department objectives
Liaise with current and new suppliers to source new ingredients
Responsible for ensuring your product meets the most up to date policy and brands standards for each relevant customer
Leading, coaching, developing and where relevant influences Senior Development Technologists in delivering the customer development plans and is accountable for their performance and results
Has overall accountability of the results and performance of their customer accounts with regards to NPD success and reaching targets/objectives
Qualification
Required
Technical Skills - Expertise in product formulation & sensory analysis
Project Management - Experience in managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing resources effectively
Knowledge of Ingredients - Strong understanding of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts & ice cream
Teamwork - Ability to work well with a collaborative, cross-functional team environment and lead in own area of expertise. Ability to encourage & lead within own team
Innovation Focus - Passion for staying ahead of trends & a desire to proactively explore innovative ingredients and product concepts
Problem solving – Excellent troubleshooting skills and ability to analyse complex technical challenges & implement solutions. Support & mentor team members to reach solutions
Communication - Excellent verbal & written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and data clearly to technical & non-technical stakeholders
The ability to travel around all our locations in the Southwest is essential due to multi-site locations
Food qualification or previous food manufacturing or catering experience
Minimum of 5 years of post-graduate experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts or ice cream. Ideally have some people management experience
Preferred
Industry Knowledge - Strong knowledge of Brands, values & processes as adopted by the retailers
Business Acumen - Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify & maximise opportunities while minimising costs
Benefits
Competitive holiday allowance
Non-contributory pension scheme
Annual bonus (as part of the Employee Benefit Trust, based on company performance for the year)
Life cover
Healthcare cash back plan
Cycle to work scheme
Subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
Preferential rates with our partners
Learning and development opportunities; we’re committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow
Company
Yeo Valley Organic
As the UK’s biggest organic dairy brand it all starts with organic farming.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase