About the Role:
Who are we, and what do we do?
You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.
We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.
About the Role:
Are you passionate about Food? Looking for a new challenge? Do you have in developing and launching new products?
Avara Foods is an inclusive, forward-thinking business and we take pride in our approach to investing in our people across Avara Foods and are looking for a highly competent and motivated Development Manager to join our NPD Team, based at our Dudley or Hereford sites.
The role is office based, with occasional factory-based working where required.
Working hours will be - Monday to Friday 08.30 – 17.00 with additional hours as required to meet the needs of the role.
What will you be doing as a Development Manager at Avara?
As New Product Development Manager, you will be responsible for managing key client accounts, acting as the first point of contact for customers. You are expected to manage the NPD process ensuring new and re-developed products are launched successfully
What will your key responsibilities as a Development Manager include?
- Liaising and communicating with the Customer to develop strong and positive relationships with key personnel
- Manage the end-to-end product development process, from concept idealisation to launch.
- Work within the category team to conduct research to identify emerging consumer trends, assess market opportunities, and analyse competitor products to guide the development of new product strategies.
- Ensure that products developed are creative and financially deliver against the Business requirement.
- Ensuring the appropriate maintenance of records of NPD activities to ensure audit compliance in NPD & EPD activities
- Liaising and communicating with all internal stakeholders to develop and deliver food-safe, legally compliant new and modified lines from the sites.
- Work closely with suppliers to develop and deliver new product concepts in line with customer briefs.
- Manage internal and external benchmarking sessions.
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- Generate and manage Project Critical paths and ensure all internal stakeholders and customers are on schedule to meet the launch date.
- Manage the NPD approval and sign off for all artwork for Development projects for your nominated customers and categories.
- Manage the maintenance of the NPD facilities, equipment and procedures to ensure a safe environment for the team.
- Managing and prioritising your team’s workload to ensure that the team is efficient in delivering NPD projects within agreed timescales
What we are looking for:
Essential:
- An HND/Degree qualification in Food Science or a related subject.
- Experience in developing and launching new products with retail customers.
- Managing critical paths and coordinating internal departments to ensure successful product launches.
- Demonstrate good project management skills & strong influencing skills
- Knowledge of the functional characteristics of food ingredients.
- Experience in preparing and presenting products/ presentation skills
Desirable:
- Working in NPD in the meat and poultry industry
- Knowledge of food ingredient legislation.
- Knowledge of food labelling regulations.
- Experience of specific retailer specification systems
- Working knowledge of HACCP systems
- Process knowledge of RTC assembly and component manufacture (proteins, sauces, vegetables & carbohydrates)
The benefits of working for Avara Foods:
As a Development Manager you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment, where your contribution and achievements will be recognised and rewarded.
We offer comprehensive training as well as continuous development as you build your long-term career with us. You can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things, include the following:
- Up to £52,000 per annum depending on skills and experience
- 31 days holiday allowance
- Secure contract with long term career development opportunities
- Straight forward pension contribution of 6%
- Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food
- Staff shop / staff sales at hugely discounted prices
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salaried Advance Finance
- Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
- Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, which includes unlimited remote GP appointments and unlimited mental health sessions, physiotherapy sessions, medical second opinion consultation, and other discounts and perks, such as savings & discounts on weekly costs.
*Ts & Cs apply
What happens after you apply for this role?
After you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted in due course by a Resourcing Officer at Brackleysite, to discuss your application and CV further. There’ll also be a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about the role.
If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
INDHP #TheAvaraWay