Development Manager

## Review: Development Manager - A Pathway to Culinary Innovation and Career Growth This Development Manager position offers a compelling opportunity for ambitious food industry professionals looking to make a tangible impact within a fast-paced, innovative environment. The role promises a dynamic career path with a strong emphasis on product development, leadership, and stakeholder engagement. ### Advantages for Potential Candidates: For those seeking a role where creativity meets commercial viability, this position is particularly attractive. Here’s why: * Impactful Product Development: You will be at the forefront of creating high-quality, mass-producible food products that directly align with evolving customer trends and retailer demands. This hands-on involvement from concept to handover ensures your contributions are visible and valued. * Career Progression: The company's stated commitment to "evolving, progressing, and diversifying" suggests a strong focus on employee growth. Opportunities to "move forward, climb higher, and push for more" indicate a culture that supports and encourages career advancement. * Comprehensive Benefits Package: Beyond a competitive salary, the package includes significant perks designed for employee wellbeing and financial security. Key highlights include: * A generous 10% bonus scheme. * 25 days of holiday, plus 8 bank holidays. * Private healthcare for peace of mind. * Life Assurance of 2.5 times your salary. * A Stakeholder Pension Scheme. * Access to a discount and cashback platform, a staff shop, and voluntary benefits, contributing to overall financial and lifestyle well-being. * Exposure to Leading Retailers: Working with major grocery retailers like Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose offers invaluable experience and insight into the highest standards of the UK fresh prepared food industry. * Supportive and Empowering Culture: The emphasis on creating an "empowered, engaged, and enabled" workforce suggests a positive and collaborative work environment where individuals are encouraged to take initiative. ### Key Considerations for Your Career Path: While the opportunity is rich, prospective candidates should carefully consider the following to ensure a strong alignment with their career aspirations: * Pace and Environment: The role explicitly mentions working "at pace in a fast moving environment." Candidates should be comfortable with a dynamic setting and possess the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities. * Breadth of Responsibilities: The "Role Accountabilities" highlight a multifaceted role. Success will require proficiency not only in product development but also in leadership, customer relationship management, category management principles, and strong business communication. * Innovation and Trend Awareness: A core aspect of the role is staying ahead of food trends and translating them into commercially viable products. A genuine passion for culinary innovation and a proactive approach to market research will be essential. * Leadership and Team Management: As a Development Manager, you will be responsible for managing and supporting a team. Demonstrating strong people management skills, the ability to motivate, and a commitment to fostering team success are crucial. * Technical and Analytical Skills: While not explicitly detailed as technical "hard skills," the description implies a need for strong organizational, investigative problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities, alongside a good standard of IT proficiency (PowerPoint, Word, Excel). * Location and Mobility: The role is based in London, and a full UK Driving Licence is listed as a requirement, suggesting potential travel for site visits or meetings. In summary, this Development Manager position is an excellent opportunity for a driven and innovative individual to carve out a significant career in the food industry. The combination of impactful work, a supportive environment, and a comprehensive benefits package makes it a highly attractive prospect for those looking to grow their expertise and leadership capabilities within a market-leading organization.