Food Product Development Lead (Own Brand) - 12 Month Ftc

We’re Ocado Retail. We’re the people powering Ocado.com, the world’s largest online grocer, and Zoom by Ocado, our almost-as-fast-growing, same-day grocery service. As the world’s biggest and best online-only grocer, we work tirelessly to bring more of what matters to our customers: unbeatable range, fair value and effortless convenience.

We’re an exceptional and mighty bunch of colleagues who are inspired by our three awesome values: Always be curious, Bring our best selves and Challenge what's possible.

We have ambitious plans and vision to never stop making our customers' lives better, by delivering the supermarket of tomorrow, today.
About the Role
As the Food Product Development Lead (Own Brand), you will be responsible for delivering the Own Brand strategy and driving the development of Own Brand products in line with the NPD pipeline. You will be responsible for overseeing the Product Development process, from concept through to launch, ensuring that our products meet our quality and brand standards. This role requires a combination of strategic thinking, creativity and strong project management skills.
This role is 12 Month maternity cover contract.
Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with senior management to develop a comprehensive strategy for Own BrandProduct Development aligned with the company's overall strategy.
• Market Analysis: Conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify consumer preferences, market gaps, and emerging trends to inform Product Development decisions.
• Product Development: Manage the end-to-end Product Development process, from concept to launch, including artwork design, formulation, packaging.
• Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of projects which align with the overall business strategy.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborative working with the technical team to uphold good standards of product quality, safety, and compliance.
• Project Management: Exceptional project management skills with the ability to re prioritise based on moving deadlines. Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously and ensure on-time delivery.
• Leadership & People Management: Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the Own Brand team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence. Able to set a clear direction and build a strong team that delivers results and achieves personal growth.
• Teamwork: Able to work collaboratively with a wide range of teams across the business

Skills, Experience and Qualifications Required:

• Experience working within the food industry, with understanding of NPD Stage and Gate process and critical path management
• Experience in a leadership role and people management
• Passionate about food
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Highly organised and self-motivated
• Ability to interpret data and act upon it
• Adaptability within a fast growing company environment
• Focus on quality, accuracy and attention to detail
  

We want our colleagues to feel supported and secure here at Ocado Retail, which is why we have a great range of useful benefits for them to scoop up - and they’re now available to easily learn about using our new platform ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix’. Our flexible benefits range from tasty lifestyle discounts to trusty private medical insurance.
These benefits can also be customised so you can pick and choose to best suit your lifestyle.

Core Rewards

• 26 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 7% matched pension contributions (e.g. 7% from you, 7% from us)
• 50% income protection
• 4x salary life insurance
• 15% Ocado.com discount
• 20% Marks and Spencer discount
• Company-paid private medical insurance for colleagues with the opportunity to add partners/children at corporate rates and Digital GP service
• Hybrid Working (2-3 days a week connecting, collaborating, and learning together with our colleagues)

Health & Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance
• Critical Illness
• DigiCare+
• Healthcare Cashplan
• Health Assessment
• Dental Insurance
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Digital GP
• Mental Health

Flexible Benefits

• Tax-efficient electric vehicle leasing scheme
• Access to a retail discount platform, providing discounts and cashback

On-site at Apollo

• Free onsite parking and free shuttle service from Hatfield station
• Regular socials, including Town Halls and Mixers & our ORL Summer Party
• ‘The Fig’ (serving breakfast, snacks, and lunch), coffee cart, as well as small kitchens (with unlimited refreshments and fresh fruit available every day) and vending machines on each floor.
• As part of our inclusive nature, help make change within the business and join any of our Networks

Travel to Apollo

We have free onsite parking at Apollo Court, as well as a free shuttle bus service that runs frequently from Hatfield Station - just remember to tell the driver ‘Apollo Court’ as the shuttle also drops at Ocado Group Head Office!

Driving: Apollo Court, 2 Bishop Square, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9NE

Train: Hatfield station is accessible from mainline routes from London Kings Cross, London St Pancras, or Moorgate.

A little bit more about us
Our business is a joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S. It’s a successful combination of award-winning customer service and unrivaled customer data; world-leading technology and logistics from Ocado Group, and unrivaled Product Development from M&S.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Ocado Retail Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employers are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status

Recruitment Privacy Notice
Ocado Retail Limited will process and store your personal information in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice. By submitting your CV/resume and application information, you confirm that you have read and understood this privacy notice.