An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Catering Product Development Manager to join our Product Team to cover a period of shared parental leave of 6-9 months as a secondment or fixed term contract. The successful candidate will lead the innovation and delivery of all new and existing Catering product development, ensuring our offerings are always fresh, exciting, and aligned with our brand. You will oversee the training and seamless implementation of new menus and range changes across all Catering aspects, guaranteeing consistent, high-quality delivery at every Bettys Branch. Your mission is to continuously elevate our Catering proposition, making Bettys the ultimate destination for mouthwatering, magical experiences that delight the whole family, fostering customer loyalty and enthusiastic referrals. This is a 6–9-month fixed-term role/secondment, working 37.5 hours Monday to Friday. If you would like to discuss flexible working patterns, please provide more details in your application. Key Responsibilities: In this role, you will lead, inspire, and manage the Branch Product Development Team in all Catering product development activities and new idea generation, ensuring new and existing product development is brand-appropriate, commercially viable, and aligned with business strategy. Working in close partnership with the Branch & Marketing Directors, you will provide the right Catering proposition, whether that be the Cafe Menus, Food to Go, Evening Dining, or Bookable Afternoon Tea. Leading the Catering vision and long-term plan, you will keep Bettys relevant by being at the forefront of trends and building a continuous pipeline of ideas. Based on product development briefs and the development gate process, you will drive the necessary pace of development work, clearly communicating and engaging with necessary stakeholders at all stages of new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) cycles. Collaborating with multiple teams to ensure NPD and EPD is innovative, feasible, commercially viable, compliant with all relevant food safety and technical legislation and marketed in a way which excites customers and drives sales. As the guardian of Catering brand values, you will ensure our Swiss roots and Yorkshire charm are seen and felt through our menu and create magical experiences. Being a visible Product presence within Bettys Branch Operations, you will ensure all new and existing product development is feasible and all new and updated product initiatives are implemented efficiently and effectively. A full Role Profile is available for this role - please email Joanne.Barrowbettysandtaylors.co.uk if you would like a copy. About you : We are looking for a candidate with the following: A highly organised, independent, motivated and resilient individual with excellent attention to detail. Excellent, in-depth technical food knowledge of ingredients, cooking techniques, preparing and presenting food. NVQ or City & Guilds Diploma - Level 5 plus or equivalent experience in high-end kitchen or multifaceted hospitality and catering business. Experience of leading product development cycles and a team. Qualified to Food Safety Level 3 and a good sound understanding of food safety and health and safety. Train the Trainer qualification or experience in training. Good level of general education and good numeracy skills. Excellent skills with Microsoft office and willing to use and learn other software systems. Excellent time management skills – ability to manage multiple projects at one time. What we offer you As a minimum, all our employees receive free meals, drinks and snacks while at work, a discretionary quarterly profit-share bonus, holiday allowance with the option to buy and (in some cases) sell additional days, company-wide employee discounts, access to our health cash plan, wellbeing support, company funded counselling, and enrolment in the company pension. We also offer a range of development opportunities no matter your role and ambitions. We encourage everyone to explore what makes them the best version of themselves, and we do this through external training programmes, apprenticeships and internal 1:1 coaching schemes. Great People, Great Culture We are Bettys & Taylors Group. Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands – Yorkshire Tea, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate. Together we share a passion for quality, service and doing things properly. We are driven by our purpose and our values, and we believe our people are what set us apart. We welcome applications from all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences and we are committed to offering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. Click here to learn more about life at Bettys & Taylors Group. To apply for this role you will be required to submit a CV and cover letter. The closing date for this vacancy is Friday 6th December 2024