Product Development Manager – Food, 12 month maternity cover
We are seeking a respected R&D leader in Food Product Development to join us on a maternity cover basis, playing a pivotal role across our Savoury and Sweet/Impulse retail platforms. With our food offering a key strategic priority over the next 12 months, this position presents an exciting opportunity to drive innovation, renovation, and reformulation that delivers both growth and margin improvement. Working at the heart of a highly collaborative, customer‑focused environment, you will translate consumer insights into commercially successful food solutions, leading cross‑functional teams to deliver high‑impact product development from concept through to commercialization.
What you’ll do
- Design and deliver products to meet an ambitious Food innovation pipeline, aligned to category strategy and Food & Nutrition goals, with real influence on future direction and growth.
- Translate consumer, customer, and category insights and concepts into compelling product innovation projects that drive profitable, scalable outcomes.
- Lead high‑profile product innovation end‑to‑end, presenting to senior stakeholders and collaborating cross‑functionally across Marketing, Finance, Sales, and Supply Chain.
- Partner closely with suppliers and internal teams to bring ideas to life, ensuring seamless execution of new launches and continuous improvement of core products.
- Play a hands‑on role in product excellence, from leading taste panels and benchmarking quality to ensuring smooth, right‑first‑time launches supported by clear operational processes.
Who you are
- Degree‑qualified in Food Science (or similar), with deep industry knowledge, and a strong grasp of end‑to‑end product development from concept to launch.
- Proven R&D leader with the ability to inspire and manage both projects and people, combining strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.
- Extensive experience in food product development, including managing complex, multi‑market projects, working with suppliers on co‑development, and navigating Stage‑Gate processes to deliver successful launches.
- Highly analytical with strong numerical skills and attention to detail, complemented by excellent communication skills to confidently influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Brings a well‑developed sensory capability, with a refined palate and the ability to identify subtle differences in aroma, flavour, taste, and texture to drive product quality.
Benefits
- Own a piece of Costa’s success by becoming a share owner in Coca‑Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP)
- An annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution.
- A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%
- The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure
- 50% discount in all Costa‑owned stores, and 25% off in other participating stores
- Private medical cover thanks to our Private Healthcare scheme
Location
Davies Way
Wooburn Green
England
HP10 9QR
UK
Hybrid – Loudwater – required to attend our Loudwater Innovation Centre a minimum of 3 times a week.
#J-18808-Ljbffr