Who is New England Seafood International? New England Seafood International (NESI) was established in 1991 and is an importer and processor of premium fresh and frozen sustainable fish and seafood. NESI employs circa 850 people across three sites in the UK and imports a wide range of wild and farmed fish and shellfish from all around the world. We are part of the Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation formed in 1971 and which is owned by 26,000 Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian shareholders, who are all bloodline descendants of the first settlers to the Americas.
Our vision is to “show people how to enjoy fish every day” and we pride ourselves on our supply chain integrity, sustainable sourcing and high-quality product. Our values run through our business and are Respect, Customer Care, By Learning We Grow, Team Spirit and Integrity.
Process Development Manager
Title: Process Development Manager
Reports to: Development Controller
Location: Chessington
Salary: Depending on Experience
Shift pattern: Monday – Friday
Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Contract Type: 3-month FTC
Accountabilities
- Project manage process development and scale-up of new and existing products from kitchen to factory launch via the Stage & Gate process, ensuring robust trials, smooth handovers to operations, and compliance with business and retailer requirements.
- Managing and optimising internal processes, driving best practice in manufacturing readiness, product scalability, and process innovation across all development activities.
- Manage critical paths for specific products, coordinating resources to deliver concepts to agreed quality and timelines. Ensure all tasks are completed, documented and signed off. As required, guide auditors through the stage‑gate process for site‑manufactured products.
- Support factory trial standards and documentation to ensure accurate data capture, clear communication, and continuous improvement in process capability and efficiency.
- Build strong relationships with operations, technical, and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement & efficient factory implementation, while collaborating with technical and commercial teams to ensure product integrity and consistency.
- Represent the department at regular site‑based meetings and share relevant feedback with Development Team.
- Act as a deputy for the Development Controller when required.
Experience
- Strong experience on the full product development process and critical path & project management from concept through to launch.
- Experience working on customer own‑label agendas, ideally with multiple major UK retailers.
- Proven experience working cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment, with successful delivery of process development and scale‑up projects from kitchen to factory launch.
- Understanding of factory environments and Food Industry Technical standards and compliance- HACCP, BRC, etc.
- Ideally a Food Science Degree or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a chilled manufacturing environment, some knowledge of fish an advantage.
- Up‑to‑date knowledge on customer codes of practice, government labelling legislation.
- Skilled communicator who is able to effectively communicate both written and verbal to a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Team player, who is comfortable to work alone, be part of a team or lead a team when required.
- Excellent computer skills.
Other
- Requires flexibility of hours to ensure adequate cover for all new product launches.
- This requires presence on weekends occasionally.
- Travel and overnight stays for site travel, customer and supplier meetings.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
- Pension 5% employee contribution 3% employer contribution
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Life Insurance: 3 x annual salary
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff discount on products
- Unlimited Refreshments
- On‑site parking
- Referral Programme
- Sports & Social Fund
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