Roberts Recruitment

A key member of  small develpment team you will be responsible for all aspects of product development for specific high profile retail accounts and own branded products.

Responsible for managing and maintaining the NPD process from concept to launch, covering blue skiy innovation, recipe construction, product re-development, cost reduction, artwork approval, specification writing.

Role requires kitchen trial work, NPD production trials, customers visits, store visits, and directional / innovation shopping.

Working closely with Sales and helping to present new ideas to customers.

Ideal candidate :

Graduate in Food science or similar with interest in infant nutrition and some experience of Food quality systems and product labelling regulations.

Good communicator and willingness to work flexibly within a small team.

Interest in Infant nutrition.

Languages: Not essential but some capacity to understand French and German may be an advantage.

Contacts

Reports to: Technical & NPD manager.

Other contacts:

Customer services

Sales / Marketing

Operations manager

Suppliers :  Based in France , Germany , Italy, Wales ,

Description of the company: A start up business trading since January 2006, current  turnover approaching15M/ year Retail Sales Value ,  Listings in most major UK multiples.  Product range covers wet pureed babyfood in pots and pouches , Cereals , Biscuits , Dairy products and Snacks

All products are contract-manufactured at various locations in EU and UK.

 Babyfoods are a highly regulated area with a requirement for detailed technical control.

Products are Organic

Description of role :

Management of technical aspects of the business including the following tasks.

The company is a small company with a core team of individuals who interact closely

• Provide a central point of contact for technical aspects within the company

• Consumer complaints management and reporting , progressing continuous quality improvement programmes with suppliers. Assist customer services in drafting . letters with technical input requirement. Preparation of complaints and continuous improvement statistics. Some experience of graphical data preparation / Excel/ Access database preffered but not essential

• Drafting finished product specifications and maintenance of product files.on nutritional profiles , allergen free from lists etc.

• Registration of new products details in retailers new line formats ,

• Product compliance to legislation and internal specifications, keep up to date with current and impending legislation relevant to babyfoods.

• Maintenance of  Company’s Technical registrations  -Organic Farmers and Growers certification,

• Supply Chain: Ingredient Suppliers agreement of specifications material control and testing plans with Contract manufacturers and Ingredient suppliers where relevant... Set up Audit protocol for suppliers.

• Liaison with external regulatory and technical authorities (e.g. trading standards).

• Maintenance of Company’s crisis management procedures and documentation,

• Technical critique of company media communications to ensure all statements are technically accurate and supportable without any legal repercussions,

• Control the company’s artwork systems and act as an internal signatory. From an NPD perspective edit text on pack copy and validate nutrition and ingredient declarations. for new Pack copy

• Prepare and organise and document regular assessments of competitors products

• A role with a global company.
• An exciting role where you will be a part of developing and implementing marketing/ category and commercial strategies through key market insights.
Client is the world’s largest retailer brand soft drink provider and one of the largest non-alcoholic beverage producers. We partner with most of the world’s leading grocery retailers to build the value of their brands with innovative, high-quality private label beverage programs.
With a commitment to customer service, innovation and a deep understanding of consumer trends, we're bringing quality, great-tasting beverages to market faster than ever before.
Coming from a Commercial and Category Management background you will be supporting the Senior Category Manager to deliver real insight on consumers, retailers and brands. You will be responsible for analysing data including category and competitor performance at both the market and key account levels identifying key sales and marketing opportunities.
To join the team you’ll need:
• Category Management experience with either a major FMCG manufacturer or major grocery organisation
• Knowledge of market analysis systems with proficiency in the use of AC Nielsen / IRI / Kantar
• Understanding of the grocery channels and preferably the soft drinks market
• Attention to detail combined with strong analytical and time management skills with the ability to communicate and present effectively being essential.
You will also have:-
• An excellent understanding of Excel, PowerPoint. And Word
• Preferably educated to degree level or equivalent with a background in Sales/ Marketing within an FMCG environment.