Donnybrook Fair
is looking for a
New Product Developer
to join our team.
This is a challenging and exciting role leading New Product Development for the brand. In particular this role involves working with our chefs and partners in developing market leading innovative Ready Meals, bakery and retail foods. You will be responsible for leading all New Product Development Projects within our brand and occasionally other seasonal activations or projects.
The role requires strong Project Management skills and a true love of food. The successful candidate will be a driven and highly motivated team player used to working cross functionally.
Key responsibilities include
:
* Work cross-functionally across numerous departments such as our production kitchen, Quality, Trading, Operations & Marketing to ensure projects run smoothly, on time, in scope & adhere to agreed project performance targets
* You will drive product innovation and development process for the brand from the initial concept phase right through to launch both for DF retail stores and for DF meals/ bakery into other retail brands
* Managing the strategic pipeline of work for future Product Development projects
* Ensure all DF Products are consistently delivering for the consumer while meeting the agreed brand standards
* Liaise with design team to develop and project manage pack design
* Ensuring that new product specifications and product quality are in line with the company's and customers' requirements
* Identifying new food trends and benchmarking against competitor products
* Liaising with internal functions such as sales, marketing, quality and production
* Making presentations to stakeholders internally and customers externally
* Ensure that the NPD and operations team work collaboratively with a customer focus and a can-do attitude challenging capability
* Ensure compliance with policies and legislation
What we are looking for:
* Third level degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Business, or similar relevant course
* Excellent project management skills with a proven record of such
* Excellent communication and influencing skills
* 5 years hands on experience in the FMCG sector/food manufacturing/retailer environment in a transferable role such as Product Development/Project Management/ Technical
* The ability to work individually, as well as part of a large, cross functional team
* Outstanding attention to detail
* A love of food and the latest trends
Functional hands-on experience in:
* Supplier and product selection
* Product quality optimization
* Supplier management
* Project management and planning
* Process oriented, required to demonstrate strong organisational, analytical, communication and negotiation skills
* Application of benchmarking and lean techniques
* Computerised specification systems
* Legislation, legal labels, product specifications, Product and packaging cost modelling