Product Development Manager
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£54,400
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2161 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 43% sure that is the right code. Pilgrim's Europe is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
This could also be SOC 2127 (Engineering project managers and project engineers) or SOC 2129 (Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
About the role
Product Development Manager
Location: Bodmin
Department: Product & Innovation
Reporting to: Head of Product & Process Development or Senior/Product & Process Manager
Shape the Future of Food Innovation
Are you passionate about food, consumer trends, and bringing innovative products to market? At Pilgrim's Europe, we're looking for a talented Product Development Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering exciting new food products from concept through to successful launch.
This is a highly visible role where you will work closely with customer teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and leadership teams to drive innovation, manage end-to-end product development projects, and support business growth through commercially focused product solutions.
About the Role
As Product Development Manager, you will lead and manage New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) activities across key customer accounts. Working collaboratively with Product & Innovation, Process, Culinary, Commercial and Site teams, you will ensure products are developed, scaled up, and launched successfully while meeting customer expectations, commercial targets, and regulatory requirements.
You will be a key contributor to innovation pipelines, customer strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives, helping to shape the future food agenda for both Pilgrim's Europe and our customers.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Innovation
- Lead customer-focused NPD and EPD projects from concept through to launch.
- Work with customer and internal teams to identify commercially viable innovation opportunities.
- Support product ideation sessions and long-term innovation projects.
- Drive continuous product improvement initiatives to enhance quality, value, and customer satisfaction.
Project Management
- Manage multiple projects and critical paths concurrently, ensuring successful delivery against agreed timelines.
- Lead products through the Concept-to-Launch gate process, ensuring transparency and accurate documentation.
- Build and maintain product information and recipes within relevant systems.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure smooth product development and launch execution.
- Provide regular updates to customers, internal stakeholders, and senior leadership teams.
Commercial & Strategic Delivery
- Contribute to customer growth plans and joint business objectives.
- Support product costing activities and ensure commercial viability of development projects.
- Balance innovation, quality, operational feasibility, and customer expectations.
- Deliver against key Product & Innovation functional KPIs, including NPD revenue and project conversion targets.
- Support value chain and business improvement projects.
Leadership & Team Development
- Coach, support, and develop team members to maximise performance and engagement.
- Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and performance discussions.
- Assist with workload planning and resource allocation across projects.
- Promote best-practice ways of working through continuous improvement and benchmarking activities.
- Foster strong cross-functional collaboration and communication.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven experience in a Product Development role within the food manufacturing industry.
- Demonstrated success in launching food products from concept to market.
Desirable
- Relevant product category experience.
- Experience working with geographically dispersed teams.
- Degree in Food Science, Marketing, Business, or a related discipline.
Qualifications
- Relevant food industry qualification and/or equivalent industry experience.
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence category-leading product innovation within one of Europe's leading food businesses. You'll work alongside passionate experts, collaborate with major retail and foodservice customers, and help create the next generation of successful products.
If you're a commercially minded food innovator with a passion for delivering exceptional products and leading development projects from idea to launch, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Values
At Pilgrim's Europe, our values shape everything we do:
Availability - We are open, responsive, and ready to embrace new challenges.
Humility - We listen, respect others, and value different perspectives.
Discipline - We deliver on our commitments and maintain high standards.
Sincerity - We act with honesty, integrity, and respect.
Ownership - We take responsibility and drive results.
Determination - We focus on achieving success together.
Simplicity - We focus on what matters most and create practical solutions.
Apply today and help us shape the future of food innovation at Pilgrim's Europe.
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This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Pilgrim's Europe, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Research and development (R&D) managers (SOC 2161) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~83k in sample- Middle half £45,448–73,580
- Median £56,992
- Going rate £54,400
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £38,100–48,900
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Browse more sponsored jobs at Pilgrim's EuropeAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Pilgrim's Europe holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2161 going rate of £54,400. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.