Location: Head Office Killinchy
Reporting to: NPD Innovation Centre Manager
Department: NPD
Willowbrook Foods is a privately owned leading fresh, frozen and cooked vegetable and salad food
manufacturer based in Killinchy, with a further product site in Newtownards delivering to clients across the
UK and ROI. The business is now seeking to appoint a New Customer Relations Manager.
Objective:
The role of the job is to develop on-trend, sustainable new products within current categories served, as well as innovative new ranges to expand the business portfolio. You’ll be involved in all aspects of bringing a new product/process to market – from the initial concept right through to product launch. This will be achieved through Research & Development of trends, ingredients, products & processes.
The candidate should have a proven track record of successful launches of high quality, profitable and safe products. Alongside being passionate about innovation, food and health. You should be an expert in market & trend analysis, ensuring products/processes considered for development are longstanding and prosperous.
The daily work will be varied but will include development of projects through customer briefs, blue sky thinking and market analysis, ensuring they are completed within agreed timescales and budgets. Kitchen trials, stakeholder presentation of findings, up-scaled factory trials, sample preparation, sensory analysis, costing and nutritional/shelf life profiling will be required, as well as working with other departments on sourcing, technical requirements and profitability.
Key Accountabilities:
Daily Duties
- Developing innovative products and processes for both current categories and potential new areas of the business- from Kitchen development through to factory trials, concept to launch.
- Research current consumer markets and latest technologies to develop new product concepts including benchmarking online and in store.
- Production of samples that meet the requirements of the NPD brief and are technically and financially feasible.
- Ensure products can be repeated in production processes to ensure consistency and safety.
- Organise the trials required to create samples for shelf life and nutritional analyses, In house organoleptic testing and customer meeting.
- Be up to date on any new legislations and able to interpret to ensure products are compliant
- Working closely with other areas of the business including Sales Team, Production teams during trials, Technical to support in generating internal and external customer documentation, Procurement for new materials required, Operations for process development and Sales & Costings to ensure any new products are commercially viable and a market to sell.
Leadership
- Lead the development process from concept to launch
- Attend internal meetings to present findings
- Be confident in project management ensuring all information is available and correct when costing and completing.
- Work well under pressure with proven successful outcomes
- Additional duties as and when required including travel & presentations.
Team Work
- Liaising with NPD team, Technical, Procurement & Production teams as well as suppliers to ensure raw materials, packaging, artwork and specifications are completed to the correct standards.
- Working closely with the Production & NPD teams to make efficient, profitable products for sale with retailers, food service & food manufacturers.
- Sales Team to ensure customer briefs are met, trend analysis and benchmarking are accurate and up[ to date, and concepts developed have longevity.
Problem Solving & Decision Making:
- Make timely, effective decisions, at a level appropriate to the role, using all of the information available, seeking advice as necessary, and using initiative to diagnose and overcome technical issues.
Continuous Improvement:
- Bring a strong knowledge and experience base to the business and communicate ideas and suggestions about workplace improvements.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement to ensure operational efficiencies.
- Ensuring engagement and consultation with other team members, seek the involvement of and suggestions from other team members as appropriate, review suggestions or issues raised and provide feedback as necessary.
- Support and co-operate with any related changes identified and implement these changes within the Department or as appropriate.
Self-Development:
- All staff is responsible for identifying their own job-related training and development needs, and for raising these needs through the appropriate channels, that is, by speaking to their immediate Manager or through Performance Appraisal / Personal Development Plan opportunities.
Other
As and when considered necessary or appropriate the post-holder must be prepared to transfer to or undertake other duties in order to meet fluctuations or priorities in work demands at their immediate Manager’s discretion within reason and competence.
This job description may be subject to change in accordance with changing customer requirements or business needs. The post-holder is expected to co-operate with such changes to support the continued success of the business.
Team Work
- Liaising with NPD, Technical, Procurement & Production teams as well as suppliers to ensure raw materials, packaging, artwork and specifications are completed to the correct standards.
- Working closely with the Production & NPD teams to make efficient, profitable products for Sale with retailers, food service & food manufacturers.
Continuous Improvement:
- Bring a strong knowledge and experience base to the business and communicate ideas and suggestions about workplace improvements.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement to ensure operational efficiencies.
- Ensuring engagement and consultation with other team members, seek the involvement of and suggestions from other team members as appropriate, review suggestions or issues raised and provide feedback as necessary.
- Support and co-operate with any related changes identified and implement these changes within the Department or as appropriate.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications / Experience & Requirements:
- 2 years experience in New Product Development
within a Food Manufacturing environment. - Ability to communicate and present your ideas in a clear and positive approach internally and in customer meetings.
- Qualifications (Degree or HND of one of the
below)
o Food science/technology
o Food nutrition and health
o Food safety and quality management - Driving License.
- Excellent IT skills.
Skills & Competencies Attributes:
- Passionate about food, with an innovative and pioneering drive for success
- Innovative thinking ability to make changes for development & improvement
- Meticulous attention to detail, especially with regard to food hygiene and safety
- Able to work to tight deadlines
- Critical thinking and negotiation skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Proactive and motivated approach Flexibility and Adaptability in approach and sourcing
- Good Relationship building & Team work
Application Details
To apply please send a CV demonstrating how you meet the required criteria for job success.
Email: Tanya@Willowbrookfoods.co.uk
Close Date and Time: CV’s must be received by no later than 20th January 2025.