Job Description
At Iceland, we value, recognize, and celebrate all colleagues for their good work. We pride ourselves on being team players who can work collaboratively with others. We offer some great opportunities for career progression and development, alongside a competitive salary and a great benefits package.
We are currently seeking a Product Developer to work as part of a team across Frozen, Chilled and Grocery Chambers (Own Label, Exclusive Brands and Branded Lines): The briefing, preparation, assessment, managed feedback and iterative development of products.
Under the leadership of the Trading Manager (TM) drive all concept development activities to ensure products developed (NPD, EPD) are aligned to the agreed brief and defined deliverables.
Development activities include Benchmarking, Market Reviews, Range Reviews, Product Briefing, Product Panelling, Innovation Product Showcases, Supplier Innovation Meetings and Food Development Centre (Kitchen) Events.
Works closely and collaboratively with the Development Chefs on ensuring products meet or exceed the brief from a quality perspective.
Be an expert on the products developed, ensuring they meet or exceed the brief and benchmark from a consumer and quality perspective.
Working with the suppliers throughout the development phase to ensure that the cooking/usage instructions deliver the best possible product for the consumer and that they are clear and easy to understand.
Adhere to the gate process to ensure products are developed in line with the critical path and suppliers are briefed in time for creative sign off gate meetings. Provide clear feedback to the supply base throughout the creative development process to ensure alignment at all stages.
Have strong knowledge of emerging markets and food trends and closely monitor the competition and retailer launches, seeking and highlighting opportunities for Iceland Product Development.
As Directed by the Trading Manager Lead Market Reviews to define key benchmarks and perform biannual benchmarking sessions to ensure Iceland products exceed / have parity with the agreed benchmark. Provide clearly documented outputs of the benchmarking to key stakeholders and agree with the TM any follow up actions.
Prepare all product samples for Gate meetings, Showcase, Visits, Quality Panels and other internal events as Agreed with the relevant Trading Manager.
Work collaboratively with the technical team to support QAS generation, sign off and 1st production approval.
The product developer role will evolve as we learn and update our ways of working within product innovation, development and ongoing product quality.
Specialised Skills & Knowledge
* Relevant Product Development experience/qualification(s) in a related area Food/FMCG)
* Relevant product area knowledge/experience of delivering NPD to the market and the development process
* Food Preparation / Culinary Skills necessary along with a passion for food
* Customer focused
* Strong Initiative with proactive and collaborative ways of working
* Personable and able build strong relationship and collaborate with all stakeholders and suppliers
* Able to multitask and prioritise effectively
* Agile and open minded in approach
* Work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
* Proficient use of Microsoft Office packages
Alongside this we can offer you:
* 15% discount in Iceland stores
* 30% discount at Club Individual Restaurants
* 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
* Pension (NEST)
* Free onsite parking
* Onsite electric car charging ports
* Subsidised staff restaurant and Costa Coffee
* Christmas vouchers
* Refer a Friend Scheme
* Christmas Savings scheme
* Discounted dry cleaning
* Long service awards
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