Summary
Lead the customer‑focused innovation and NPD strategy across Sofina Foods Europe, driving growth through market‑leading innovation for M&S. Identify consumer opportunities, shape retailer growth plans, and lead teams to deliver commercially successful products from concept to launch.
Role
This is a hands‑on, fast‑paced role where you’ll collaborate closely with internal teams and customers, balancing creativity with commercial awareness. You’ll contribute to both brand and own‑label development, with particular focus for M&S, while staying ahead of trends and driving continuous improvement across products and processes. Working cross‑functionally across the business, you will manage projects from initial concept through to launch approval, ensuring all products meet expectations in terms of food technology, quality, hygiene, safety, legality and cost. You will play a key role in driving innovation, building strong customer and supplier relationships, and supporting the development of future NPD strategies and plans.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Create a high‑performance NPD culture through coaching, mentoring and capability development.
- Champion best practice NPD processes, governance and ways of working across the business.
- Drive continuous improvement in speed to market, launch success and innovation effectiveness.
- Develop and maintain a rolling 3‑year innovation pipeline aligned to customer, category and business growth strategies.
- Identify emerging consumer, market and food trends and translate these into commercially viable innovation opportunities.
- Lead customer innovation sessions and present concepts directly to retailer development teams.
- Build strong partnerships with Commercial, Marketing, Category and Operations teams to ensure innovation priorities are aligned.
- Represent Sofina Foods at customer presentations, innovation forums and product reviews.
Ideal Candidate
- A true NPD professional with experience in a retailer focused and fast changing food environment.
- Practical and hands‑on approach with strong experience of NPD Process and Innovation.
- Innovative analytical and capable of delivering strategic initiatives.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Passion for food, innovation and product development.
- A “superstar” NPD professional who can inspire and challenge those around you, combining strategic NPD experience with strong commercial ability and exceptional people skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
- Collaborative and proactive approach to cross‑functional working.
- Strong leadership, mentoring and coaching capability.
- Solutions focused with strong problem solving skills.
Preferred Experience
- Minimum 8 years experience within a retailer‑facing food NPD environment.
- Demonstrable experience leading innovation programmes for major UK retailers, ideally M&S.
- Strong understanding of category strategy, consumer insight and retailer innovation processes.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
- Experience presenting innovation strategies and concepts directly to customers.
- Driving licence and willingness to travel as required.
Benefits
- Car Allowance, Company Bonus Scheme, Company Pension Scheme, Enhanced Sick Pay, Private Medical Insurance.
- Competitive Salary.
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Life Assurance.
- Online Benefits Hub.
- Career Development Opportunities.
- Supportive and Collaborative Working Culture.
- Opportunity to work on innovative branded and retailer products across Seafood and Pork divisions.
- Exposure to cross functional teams, major customers and exciting development projects.
Equal Opportunities
Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
Schedule: Monday to Friday, Full‑time
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