Senior Innovation Manager - (Internal Applicants Only)

About the role

This is an essential role in the co-ordination of the Innovation Development team to deliver multi customer product launches across multi categories to enable best-in-class innovation for our customers. Under the direction of the Head of Product - Own label, the Senior Innovation Manager will be responsible for the leadership of the Innovation Development function at Yeo Valley. This role is required to empower, lead & prioritise the workload of the innovation function, to successfully launch & evaluate the new & existing products within the categories of ice cream and desserts, ensuring innovation team delivers the strategic demand pillar plans with rigor and pace. This individual will work collaboratively with senior leadership peers from across the business to deliver best in class, trend setting, insight led innovation concepts that are aligned with customer & business strategies. The role requires the ability to oversee the development process with the customer and the internal functions from Gate 0 to 2 kitchen approval.

Key responsibilities

• Empower and lead Yeo Valley Innovation Development and be the senior contact for all internal and external projects associated with Innovation Development
• Lead the Innovation Team for all NPD projects from Gate 0 approval to Gate 2 and to identify potential platforms for new food opportunities, ensuring the relevant stakeholders are involved at the right stage and aligned, including chairing gate meetings and embedding best practice
• Lead oversight and accountability for multiple project critical paths across multiple timelines, including project and stakeholder management, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies to ensure launches are delivered on time & in full across the portfolio
• Work collaboratively with Head of Process, R&D Team, Technical, Sourcing and Operations teams on new products, raw materials, packaging & factory processes
• Drive a passion for food and creativity to support NPD Pipeline planning for the future and getting ahead of the curve
• Drive down all aspects of Direct/Indirect costs to make a continual and sustainable improvement in profitability in areas that can be impacted by clever concept development. Influence other departments to adopt best in class procedures and ways of working
• Accountability of the teams performance to meet BRC and ISO accreditation standards adopted by the business and legislative standards
• Have overall accountability of the results and performance of Innovation Development with regards to NPD success and reaching targets/objectives
• Encourage creative and WOW innovation that pushes boundaries
• Make “Better Impacts” through innovative product & new technologies
• Lead Capital Projects

Essential skills

• Expertise in product trends, foodie vision
• Experience in managing multiple product development projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing resources effectively
• Strong understanding of the functional properties of yogurt, desserts & ice cream
• 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
• Excellent troubleshooting skills and ability to analyse complex technical challenges & implement solutions. Support & mentor team members to reach solutions
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and data clearly to technical & non-technical stakeholders

Qualifications and experience

• Food qualification or previous food manufacturing or catering experience
• Minimum 8 years of experience in a food NPD role, preferably within dairy, desserts or ice cream
• Essential people management experience

Desirable skills

• Strong knowledge of Brands, values & processes as adopted by the retailers
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation criteria and food production industry standards/HACCP
• Ideally experience in managing or supporting large scale capital projects

Personal attributes

• Meticulous attention to detail in both product development and documentation
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and adjust to changing priorities & project timelines. Resilience and supporting others is key
• Strong analytical skills, capable of interpreting data to guide decision-making processes
• Tenacious & “can do” attitude
• Self-driven with a growth mindset & can use initiative
• Desire and ability to influence & drive change
• Hands on & practical approach to working
• Good IT skills - Microsoft and database systems
• Ability to pull cross functional teams in one direction with right level of data and detail to make decisions

Benefits

• Competitive holiday allowance
• Non-contributory pension scheme
• 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
• Free parking

Schedule

Full time (40 hours per week - Monday - Friday), located at our Newton Abbot site.