Job Description

Founded in 2004, manufacturing innovative health products for the world's leading brands, we are an award-winning industry leader in the field of full-service nutraceutical supply. We specialise in the production of the highest quality Tablets, Capsules, Gummies, Softgels, and Powder Blends.

Our Vision

Shape the Future of Nutraceuticals with Market Leading Innovation, Quality & Collaborative Partnerships.

Our core focus is to be Healthier Together:

Learn, Grow & Succeed as a Team. Energise, Align & Motivate Teams to Inspire & Drive Change. Empower, Support, & Equip Teams to accomplish our Vision. Achieve Best-in Class Performance for Quality, Compliance, Safety & Environment across the business.

Role Summary

To support our core focus initiative of 'Innovation', we are recruiting a proven

Product Development Manager

to aid our ability to continue to shape the future of nutraceuticals by delivering unrivalled innovation to support customers.

You will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and execution of all Product Development activities, from product concept to launch. This includes overseeing product development, leading the team, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving innovation in alignment with business goals.

You will also play a key role in developing and managing performance indicators (KPIs) and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.

You will possess a blend of strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and strategic thinking to drive innovation and guide the team towards achieving the company's goals. In summary, you will act as a visionary who can anticipate future trends and translate them into concrete research strategies while fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development:

Oversee the product development lifecycle, from conceptualisation and formulation to validation and commercialisation. Create Manufacturing documents like process instructions and Bills of Materials, to ensure accuracy and consistency in manufacturing. Address formulation issues as they arise on the production floor using appropriate regulatory documentation and procedures.

Product Commercial Viability Review

:

Conduct commercial viability review of products at each development stage in line with business profit margin conditions. Where applicable and achievable, lead cost reduction initiatives of products and processes.

Innovation:

Identify and implement emerging technologies, ingredients, and processes to enhance product quality, shelf life, and cost-effectiveness. Demonstrate products to customers and develop new products for clients based on current market trends, customer, and/or consumer feedback.

Project Management:

Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure timely completion of development projects.

Team Leadership:

Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of scientists, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Provide effective leadership to multi-functional improvement teams, setting out clear action plans and accountabilities, giving constructive feedback and support, adjusting style to delegate effectively to different audiences. Build and maintain appropriate stakeholder relationships inside and outside the business.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Collaborate with internal and external key stakeholders, such as process engineers, production operators, supply chain partners, packaging and marketing specialists and customers, to resolve problems in product development. Work closely with Marketing, Sales, Quality, and Production, and other departments to ensure alignment and feasibility of product development efforts.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance:

Ensure all products comply with applicable regulatory requirements, labelling laws, customer specifications, and internal quality standards.

Technical & Training Support:

Provide technical expertise and support to other key stakeholders on product and material -related matters.

Business Strategy:

Develop and implement R&D strategies aligned with business objectives, to address market needs and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement:

Communicate the product manufacturing vision and strategy to inspire and motivate the wider business in the successful execution of performance outputs.
If you are a strategic leader with strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, capable of driving product vision, and possess a blend of technical understanding, business acumen, and have a customer-centric approach, balancing innovation with practical execution; this opportunity is for you.

Skills/Experience/Qualifications

The role of

Product Development Manager

is multifaceted and requires both industry-specific qualifications and technical abilities. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

Formal Education:

Bachelor's or Master's degree or equivalent qualifications in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, or related field. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certification and other Food Safety Management System (FSMS) certifications. Ideally, certifications in Project Management and agile methodologies.

Experience:

Significant experience in product development within the nutraceutical or related industry (food, FMCG, pharmaceuticals), with a proven track record of leading successful development projects. Ability to develop and implement R&D strategies aligned with business objectives and market trends. Strong knowledge of formulation, ingredient sourcing, and product development processes, including experience with various supplement formats (ideally powders, capsules, tablets, coated tablets, gummies, softgels). Demonstrated ability to manage product launches from concept to launch, including planning, execution, and budget management. Experience in all stages of product development, including ideation, formulation, testing, and scale-up. Experience in process improvement, operations management or lean manufacturing. Proven experience in a manufacturing environment is essential, ideally from nutraceutical, FMCG, pharmaceutical or food industries. Understanding of manufacturing processes, systems, and relevant quality management systems within the food manufacturing sector; ideally, working with quality management systems (QMS), such as ISO standards, and understanding food safety regulations; including, BRC, GMP, HACCP, and IFS. Demonstrated experience in identifying, analysing, and improving processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste. Proven ability to manage and lead projects, including planning, execution, and monitoring. Experience in driving business change, influencing key stakeholders, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and growth. Ability to define, track, and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of improvement initiatives. Proficiency in using data analysis tools and techniques to identify areas for improvement and measure results (Ideally, Power BI). Experience of using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Product Management software systems Knowledge and experience in implementing and adhering to health and safety regulations. Experience in navigating regulatory pathways and ensuring product compliance with relevant standards. Understanding of supply chain processes, from material sourcing to manufacturing resource planning.

Skills

Understanding of nutrition science, bioavailability, and the efficacy of ingredients. High ethical standards and integrity in all aspects, promoting the highest levels of business culture. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach and the ability to identify issue and develop innovative solutions. Ability to work in a complex environment and network across organisational boundaries; influencing and negotiating with others to ensure that deadlines are met. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders. Time management skills with the flexibility to meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing workload demands. Excellent written and oral communication skills including, active listening, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams, and the ability to prepare and present reports to key stakeholders across all levels. Excellent planning and project management skills. Excellent computer literacy and knowledge of Microsoft applications & CRM systems, ERP systems, CI tools, and Product Data Management software. Understanding of production processes, equipment, and relevant technologies. This includes knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control measures, and health and safety regulations. Managerial Skills, leadership, team management, delegation, and conflict resolution. Ability to deliver results on time, within constraints and in line with company policies, procedures, and organisational strategy. Strong attention to detail. Ability to take initiative to identify and address potential issues before they escalate. High ethical standards and integrity in all aspects, promoting the highest levels of business culture.

Available Benefits

Join the market leaders in the field of full-service nutraceutical supply. Located in Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire - we are commutable from Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Gainsborough, & Doncaster areas. Role specific non-Contractual Bonuses. Incremental holiday scheme. Company pension and benefit schemes. Career development and progression opportunities. Free on-site & secure car parking. Employee welfare initiatives. Loyalty bonus schemes. Smarter flexible working opportunities. Free employee refreshments. Employee 'Health-Hub' with access to discounted nutraceutical products. Employee social events.

Applications

If you would like to apply for this role or require more information, please contact the HR Department on 01427 666000.

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and covering letter to the HR Department.

We will ask for references after making a conditional offer. All external appointments are subject to two satisfactory work references. One must be the applicant's present or most recent employer.

In exceptional cases, either one or both references do not need to be work references. This may apply to school-leavers, or returners to work after a long career break. Where this is the case, we will seek character references instead.

We operate a No Agency Recruitment Process. Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Parkacre Ltd, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.

Due to our inability to offer visa sponsorship, we can only consider candidates who are authorised to work in the UK without the need for employment visa sponsorship.

We are unable to offer relocation assistance. The successful candidate will be expected to work in the UK and must reside in area or be willing to commute.

All data is collected & managed in accordance with The Data Protection Act 1998.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 45,000.00-55,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person