Product Development Manager – Dual Site

KP Snacks
Product Development Manager
Location : Based in Billingham with regular travel to support our Tanfield site

Join our snack-loving team! We’re looking for a Product Development Manager to join our team at KP Snacks. Fancy being part of a group where your ideas matter and your growth is celebrated? Keep reading – this might just be your next adventure!

As a Product Development Manager, you will play a crucial role working in product category teams to develop and manage the creation of new, innovative, consumer-preferred snacking products across brand and portfolios within KP Snacks. With a passion for food product design, you will combine your technical knowledge and consumer understanding to create inspirational products concepts that are feasible to manufacture and support the design, development and final commercialisation of these products into the market.

Your responsibilities will also encompass continual optimisation and enhancement of our product portfolios in terms of quality, value engineering and critically, to support our People & Planet goals.

Additionally, you will ensure we continue to build consumer & competitor understanding, partnering with our commercial teams to drive longer term strategic portfolio planning.

What will you be doing?

• Develop and implement product development strategies to meet business objectives and drive growth
• Manage the end-to-end product development process, from concept idealisation to commercialisation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Operations, and Quality Assurance, to ensure successful product launches
• Stay up-to-date with market trends, consumer insights, and competitor analysis to identify new product opportunities
• Conduct product testing, sensory evaluations, and consumer trials to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction
• Manage product development budgets and timelines, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget

What’s in it for you?
We believe in giving back and making sure you’re happy and thriving. Here’s a taste of what we offer:

• Attractive salary, depending on the skills and experience you can bring

• Bonus scheme – with an excellent track record of over-achievement

• Annual Salary Review

• Medicash health cash plan/Private healthcare/Digital GP/Best Doctors (2nd Medical Opinion service) and Cancer care

• Company sick pay (eligibility criteria exist)

• Holiday buy scheme

• Electric Vehicle Scheme

• KP4ME – online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and tools

Who are we?
Glad you asked! We’re KP Snacks, proud to be part of the Intersnack family. Picture this: over 15,000 of us, spread across more than 30 countries, all working together to create the snacks you love. From Hula Hoops to McCoy’s, we’re the team behind your favourite munchies.

Here in the UK, we’re about 2,400 strong, spread across seven factories and our Slough HQ. But don’t let our size fool you – we’re as close-knit as they come. We believe in speaking our minds, celebrating our differences, and pushing boundaries together.

Diversity isn’t just a buzzword for us. We’re on a mission to create a workplace where everyone belongs. So, even if you don’t tick every box, we want to hear from you! Your unique perspective could be just what we need. Also, if there’s anything we can do to make this process easier for you, just give us a shout.

We’d love to hear from you if you can evidence the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• Proven experience in product development within the food industry, preferably in snacks or FMCG
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Passion for innovation and keeping up-to-date with industry trends
• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field