Regional Product Development Manager (PDM) - Design

Overview Business Partner one or more Category or Marketing Unit (MU) Marketing Managers, leading to co-development of the strategy for one or more local Must Win Battles (MWB - Key products), secondary battlefields and non-priority ensuring that we continue to win now and in the future. PDM-Regional is expected to actively implement strategy within their MWBs and Secondary Battlefields. Accountable for delivering their part of the Innovation pipeline to meet the MWB growth and renovation targets. This includes leadership for their R&D Regional resources and working in partnership with the Regional PDM (Pack), SPDM-Design (Pack) and R&D Implementation teams to bring innovations quickly to market. Responsibilities The PDM-Regional is the R&D Business Partner to Marketing Managers and together they are responsible for co-developing and delivering the innovation pipeline for their MWBs. In this role it is expected that the JH will act as a consumer and technology champion, highlighting new opportunities, driving change and ensuring that the programme delivers competitive advantage. R&D Programme * Developing an R&D portfolio that represents the key priorities for each MWB, and is fully consistent with the focus on "fewer, bigger, better" with clear R&D deliverables, working in collaboration with Marketing and R&D-Pack Colleagues * Actively manage their portfolio for maximum RoI, flagging the need for prioritisation discussions and decisions when necessary * Drives implementation of the R&D programme &/or projects within marketing, local SU & designated copackers, in line with agreed objectives and milestones * Understands their local SU agenda and AP impact. Ensures timely delivery and dynamic resourcing of R&D. Flags risks and opportunities Drives/delivers Fuel for Growth programme in their areas of responsibility. * Responsible for delivering chartered F4G projects and identification of future opportunities * Makes prioritisation decisions when needed, consulting with colleagues and escalating to R&D Regional Lead, Head of Implementation, SPDM Implementation &/or R&D Head of Category when needed Maintains existing products & ingredient portfolio * Approves and implements recipe and process changes to current products that have no discernable impact on product design (eg. productivity, footprint, supply continuity) * Ensures product and ingredient specifications are fully compliant and audit ready Local Market Implementation & Support * Write and approve local CONs * Provide Technical Data as required by Customers * Technical support to marketing and Consumer careline Governance * Responsible for accurate and informative input to gate documents * Must ensure that all new developments are consistent with the CSR strategy and Nutritional targets * Must ensure that the key elements of the product design are retained on scale up and ongoing production, including productivity programmes The PDM-Design leads and develops their resources * Responsible for deployment of their R&D resources to deliver maximum return on investment * Responsible for developing individuals within their team and championing their Career Development Programmes * Accountable for delivering their programme within a budget agreed with the R&D Head of Category or Regional R&D Lead Product Strategy & Superiority * Responsible for developing product strategies for key products in their portfolio to ensure they remain relevant and maintain competitive advantage * For lead SKUs' in each MWB, the JH is accountable for delivering product superiority vs our key competitor R&D Contribution * Member of R&D functional workstreams as required Qualifications Essential * Must be qualified to at least Degree level in a Technical subject, eg Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Physics * Significant experience (3+ years) within the Food & Drink industry in a Technical /Product Development role * Track record of successful innovation within food * Eager to understand and anticipate Consumer behaviour * Experience of concept development and rapid prototyping * Basic understanding of the role of Intellectual property (patents, exclusivity, know-and trade secrets) to generate competitive advantage Generic * Good understanding of the business environment and commercial process * Good communication skills and experience at presenting to Senior Leaders R&D * Superior Design Consumer-led design (A) Ideas to winning prototypes (A) Applied nutrition (A) Applied sensory (A) Benchmarking (A) * Renovating our Core The renovation process (Es) Product & Pack Strategy (A) Drivers-Levers approach (A) * Innovating New Opportunities The Innovation Process (Es) Rapid prototype & concept development (A) Innovation portfolio management (Es) External Innovation (Es) Intellectual Property management (Es) Global and Local - Understand and operate effectively across the global and local dimensions of our business. Driving "bigger better fewer" globally Accountable - Must de