Job Advert
Join Our New Product Development Team at The Compleat Food Group!
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Process Development Manager to join our brilliant Product Development Team, based in Ebbw
Vale.
At The Compleat Food Group we never just make food. We make food to feel good, taste good and do good for everyone. Our aim is to
delight our customers and consumers every day, creating the best possible foods for shoppers needs and budgets.
Our ability to drive category growth for our customers is through our focus on understanding our consumers and our relentless
pursuit of innovation – we have the courage to think differently and challenge the status quo. We work at the correct pace to make
clear decisions and deliver on our commitments on time every time. Quality is at the heart of everything we do, always.
We take in pride in everything we produce. We value everybody who works in our organisation. Everyone is treated with respect and
encouraged to thrive and develop. Together we will become number one for culture.
Location: Ebbw Vale, Wales
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm with early finish on Friday!
Salary: up to £50,000 per annum
To lead in the effective delivery of the NPD and EPD agenda across the group, in-line with the Compleat Food Group and customer
category plans. Ensure the Compleat Food Group’s Product Launch Process is followed effectively across the group to deliver timely
development of new and existing products in line with The Compleat Food Group’s brand strategy, category pipeline plans and growth
aspirations as well as meeting all Compleat brand and/or customer standards. To assist with Continuous Improvement projects under
prior agreement.
Key Accountabilities:
* Effective delivery of the NPD / EPD process from kitchen handover to launch in line with customer category plans.
* Lead the process development team at site/s to deliver the NPD agenda
* Manage the development work across the site/s to ensure that is delivered to required cost and within agreed timescales.
* Lead the delivery of the scale up of products within site food safety and technical standards
* Accountable for all stages of critical path of projects from handover, with understanding of the implications and effects of
deviations.
* Lead the Development process team across multiple projects to bring new products and processes to life across multiple
accounts.
* Lead/support factory product sign off panels with retailers/brand managers – internal/external with support of development
manager
* Support the Group Process Development Manager in collating information for board requests, meetings, and visits as and when
required.
* Support/lead site visits when required.
* Support refinement of product at kitchen stage to ensure manufacturing standards will be met.
* Support development managers in the innovation agenda at site leading and scheduling feasibility meetings at site.
* Support costing builds at site to ensure accurate and reflective costs are associated to products from handover to process.
* Lead the Process teams to move product from kitchen to factory, ensuring all aspects of product quality are met and delivers
the agreed margin.
* Lead the organization of the process trials, ensure objectives are set and communicated to all relevant teams prior to the
trials.
* Lead the development team in order new ingredients / packaging for trials and assess on arrival & through trials.
* Support in carrying out production trials in line with site standards, fully accountable for these being actioned in the
factory, in all areas from make to wrap.
* Support in the gathering of relevant information from trials including: - run rates, weights, settings, labour, washouts, data
logging etc. Accountable for ensuring this data is assessed, communicated, and actioned where required.
* Work closely with production and planning to determine optimum batch sizes / volumes and dual processing requirements when
required.
* Liaise with relevant departments such as engineering where the is a requirement for new kit or where amends may be required.
* Support the team in sending product for shelf life and nutritional testing from factory trials; liaising with technical
department for full sign off.
* Complete storage trials and complete organoleptic.
* Complete re-heat validation &/or arrange relevant testing against customer code of practice.
* Complete packaging and transit trials with support of packaging technologist when required.
* Complete any amends from product at handover to management for re-costing and paperwork amends.
* Liaise with site chefs and development managers for kitchen V factory verification panels (internal & external)
* Accountable for the trial material within the factory ensuring standards are maintained across relevant sites.
* Work to Development documents and procedures ensuring the team follows appropriate guidelines and initiating amends where
required.
* Support the writing of factory specifications.
* Attend HACCP meetings where required ensuring new raw materials are approved prior to arrival at site/trials commencing.
* Complete relevant documentation including process flow and site specific food safety documents, such as SUSSLE.
* Complete trial reports, distribute these accordingly and identify actions prior to next trials.
* Complete nutritional comparisons and review against customer standards and policies with relevant personal to approve these.
* Complete microbiological standards and review against customer standards and policies with relevant personal to approve these.
* Complete relevant paperwork following post trial data analysis and ensure sign off by relevant departments. Example:
organoleptic, storage approvals and reheat validation
* Gather information for document control approval.
* Ensure electronic and paper copies of products are organized and complete alongside relevant checklist in line with site
standards. Initiate these being signed off by management to audit standard.
* Support site with artwork sign off.
* Support in the writing and presentation of appropriate customer presentation material.
* Create/ support with creation of QAS.
* Lead the launch of product to agreed standards
* Lead PPR meeting and support running of the trial to ensure product and factory are launch ready.
* Lead launch meetings and paperwork and ensure all relevant paperwork is complete.
* Efficient hand over of product at preproduction to Technical, Production teams & all departments.
* Check off BOM v recipe v costings prior to launch
* Ensure all production shifts have been adequately trained to run the products, if not raise with management.
* Arrange & support in collection and sort of production samples to go to customers in line within relevant codes of practice.
* Review products once launched and follow up any process/ ingredient issues.
* Initiate and contribute to post-launch review
* To understand and drive proactive process development initiatives which push production boundaries
* Working with Technical teams, ongoing assessment of product quality through internal benchmarking against QAS sessions
* Work with team to provide solutions to solve manufacturing problems on new & existing lines.
* Lead the process team in feeding into the costing model with process knowledge, wastage figures and trial results.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
The right candidate will have a passion for food and an enthusiasm to grow their career in a fast-paced sector of the food
industry. They will have managed people within the development function and be comfortable working with senior members of the
business management team.
Experience:
* HND/Degree in food based/manufacturing subject (desirable)
* Food manufacturing experience within an FMCG environment
* HACCP / Food Safety Training/basic knowledge
Key Skills:
* Planning, organization and project management
* Communicating at different levels of seniority
* Presentation skills
* Trial running / data analysis
* Identifying solutions
* Basic computing skills
Qualities:
* A passion for food - Product tasting is required across multiple categories
* Problem solving
* Enthusiasm to learn and grow
* Self Motivated
* Flexible attitude
* A team player with well-developed interpersonal skills
Benefits:
* 33 days of Annual Leave 9including BH)
* 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
* Online and High-street retailer discount scheme and well-being portal
* On-site free parking and subsidised canteen
* Employee well-being and community support groups
* Charity Initiatives and Team events
* 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid
The Compleat Food Group are proud to have built an inclusive and respectful culture where our colleagues feel safe, supported and
valued. A place where they can bring their whole selves to work to achieve exceptional results and thrive.
We continue to attract diverse talent into our teams, because we know greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides
a better working life. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect in all that we do.
Recruitment Agencies We have an active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any
speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.