Head of Product - Dairy

About the Role

At Yeo Valley, we're about more than just making great food – we're here to Nurture & Nourish People & Planet by Making Great Food the Right Way. Forever. As a co-owned business, we invest in our people, encourage growth, and believe in doing things properly. We aim to be a successful, visionary, and purposeful food and farming business powered by people who feel inspired by our purpose and valued as co-owners.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Product - Dairy to join the Yeo Valley family in our Development team. This role is the accountable lead for all activities relating to Dairy Product Development within Yeo Valley Farms Production. The purpose is to work with the Senior Head of Innovation to set out the insight-led Innovation plan, delivering on our Demand Strategy.

Responsibilities

• Leadership of the Dairy innovation teams for YVO and Own Label products
• Inspire the Dairy Innovations team through effective 121s and development plans with direct reports
• Work closely with the Senior Manager in charge of the Process team to ensure aligned priorities
• Collaborate with Dairy Brand Management leads for clarity on short, medium, and long-term priorities
• Ensure alignment across all Development teams as part of the Product leadership team
• Play a key role in defining the Innovation strategy, including investment areas for capability growth
• Engage with retailers at Senior Manager level quarterly for strategic alignment
• Ensure Innovation Managers are organized to meet critical paths for product ambitions
• Advocate for the category vision and ensure its reflection in the innovation approach
• Hold regular meetings with Senior Development managers in strategic retail partners for priority alignment

Requirements

• Broad-based product development experience
• Success in food/drink innovation for brands and Own Label (OL)
• Excellent leadership credentials and ability to nurture talent
• Ability to work with multiple senior stakeholders
• Success in overseeing multiple projects simultaneously with resource alignment
• Strong track record in effective budget management

Qualifications

Not specified.

Skills

Not explicitly listed, but implied skills include leadership, stakeholder management, project management, and budget management.

Benefits

• 25 days + bank holidays
• Non-contributory pension scheme
• Annual bonus (based on company performance)
• Life cover
• Healthcare cash back plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
• Preferential rates with partners
• Learning and development opportunities

Pay

Not specified, but includes a company car allowance.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, with flexible working principles (2-3 days in the office per week). Based in Blagdon, Somerset.

Note: We are unable to provide employment sponsorship at this time. Yeo Valley does not accept speculative agency applications; only applications from preferred suppliers submitted via our recruitment portal will be considered.