Product & Innovation Manager

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic leading retail brand for sports nutrition. Their ethos of #CHALLENGEYOURSELF defines the way their team embraces every piece of work, every project, every day. They have a fantastic opportunity for a Product & Innovation Manager to join their Marketing team.

You will be responsible for driving the product innovation pipeline across Europe, leading development projects that are in line with the brand and business strategy. Working closely with internal teams you will not only be the owner of existing projects but you will also utilize competitor and market intelligence to propose new products for technical development and commercial exploitation.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

- Takes ownership of the development programme from concept through to launch
- Manages the critical path process, research and sources new ingredients for sports nutrition supplements and nutritional foods, ensuring ingredients and nutritional requirements conform to current legislation.
- Manages end to end packaging development projects including artwork
- Owner of the company's European product portfolio making recommendation for rationalisation and expansion
- Continually evaluates market trends in products and packaging, monitoring customers and competitors then putting forward ideas and concepts that can be speedily brought to market.

The role is generally office based although it will require considerable interaction with and occasional travel to ingredient suppliers, third party manufacturing sites, consumer shows/exhibitions and industry events

The role has an international dimension requiring regular interaction with the European business and the Global innovation hub to prioritise and align projects.

Person Specification
Qualifications: Degree in a science based discipline (Food/Nutrition/Biochemistry) and/or CIM qualified with a strong innovation background

Experience: >5 years in a product management and/or innovation role preferably within a nutrition based business (foods, sports nutrition and supplements considered)

Knowledge: A blend of innovation and marketing skills with a technical and/or scientific background. A good knowledge of human nutrition with, in particular, sports nutrition being an advantage.

Skills & Key Competencies

- A confident and articulate communicator able to present to customers and major retailers.
- A highly numerate and intelligent individual.
- A solid understanding and background in food manufacturing and the NPD process,
- Familiarity with market research approaches
- Able to undertake market and gap analysis
- Strong appreciation of consumer needs and insight
- Commercial acumen.
- An outgoing and friendly personality.
- Good organisation and planning capabilities.
- A track record of building supplier relationships.
- Full, clean UK driving licence.