Food Innovation Professional
We are seeking an experienced Food Innovation Professional to join our team based in Cork. This role offers the opportunity to work with a dynamic team that focuses on developing branded and food products for the retail market.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with technical, production, and sales teams to deliver high-quality, value-added products. You will be involved in cutting-edge innovation projects, ensuring that new products meet safety, legal, and specification requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead product development projects through the entire process, from concept to launch, working cross-functionally to deliver innovative and renovated products.
- Ensure full compliance with all relevant policies, legislation, and product specifications.
- Understand and monitor compliance with the product development process, implementing efficient techniques to ensure all requirements are met at each project stage.
- Manage the project critical path, ensuring all deadlines are met as outlined by the project manager.
- Coordinate day-to-day product development processes for line extensions and brand packaging projects from the project brief to launch.
- Ensure continuous improvement and protection of both the process and product.
- Provide leadership and training to product development staff members to effectively complete tasks.
- Develop a clear understanding of business priorities and contribute to achieving efficiency goals.
- Provide weekly updates to the project manager on project progress.
- Liaise with key customers to present product development projects, addressing and resolving any project issues as they arise, seeking guidance when necessary.
- Drive continuous improvements within the department.
- Stay informed about market trends and technologies to develop new product ideas.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- A degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in a high-volume FMCG/food manufacturing environment, in roles such as Quality, Technical, or Development.
- Strong project management and planning skills.
- Excellent communication and influencing abilities in a team environment.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a large, cross-functional team.
- Passion for food and the latest industry trends.
- Practical experience in:
- Quality systems (e.g., HACCP, allergen control).
- Technical knowledge of specification and customer systems (e.g., TTL, HG, etc.).
- Knowledge of food legislation and legal labelling requirements.
- Product quality optimization and cost modelling.
- Application of benchmarking and lean techniques.
- Supplier negotiation.
- Process-oriented with strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Proven troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
- Proactive, hands-on approach with a positive attitude.
- Familiarity with packaging management tools and the pack copy process.