Product Developer

Product Developer - Food & Drink

Location: Leeds
Salary: £30,000-£40,000 per annum
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Working pattern: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, with hybrid working available

We're looking for a passionate and commercially minded Product Developer to join a dynamic Own Brand Product Development team, working across a range of ambient food categories.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment, has a keen eye for quality and enjoys turning innovative ideas into successful products that meet customer expectations.

Working closely with Product Managers and cross-functional teams, you'll play a key role in developing new products, driving quality improvements and ensuring products are delivered on time, to specification and in line with relevant legislation.

As Product Developer, your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the development and delivery of innovative own-brand food products across ambient categories.

• Working closely with Product Managers to drive product quality, innovation and cost-saving initiatives.

• Managing product development projects and ensuring key milestones are achieved within agreed timescales.

• Reviewing and approving product specifications, tender documentation and supplier submissions.

• Coordinating tenders and supporting product quality reviews and market reviews.

• Ensuring product labelling, nutrition information and specifications meet legal and regulatory requirements.

• Working collaboratively with trading teams, suppliers and wider stakeholders to deliver customer-focused product briefs.

• Monitoring market trends, competitor ranges and customer needs to identify opportunities for new products and improvements.

• Ensuring suppliers adhere to company policies and required quality standards throughout the development process.

We'd love to hear from candidates who have:

• Experience within food manufacturing, food retail, food technology or a similar food-related environment.

• A degree or equivalent qualification in food, nutrition or a related discipline.

• Experience in food and drink product development, with a strong understanding of quality and technical requirements.

• Commercial awareness and a genuine passion for delivering products that meet customer needs.

• Knowledge of food legislation, labelling, nutrition and product specifications.

• An understanding of market trends, competitor activity and emerging product opportunities.

• Excellent organisation, project management and communication skills.

• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong attention to detail and proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with product and packaging specification systems would be advantageous.

• Competitive salary of £30,000-£40,000.

• 12-month fixed-term contract.

• Hybrid working.

• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.

• Pension contributions.

• Life insurance worth four times your annual salary.

• The opportunity to work on exciting product development projects within a leading retail environment.

If you're passionate about food innovation, product quality and delivering great products for customers, we'd love to hear from you.