What we do:

Panelto Foods is an Irish Food company based in Longford and established in 2004. Panelto produces a range of high quality contemporary sandwich breads for the UK and Irish, retail and food service markets, from a highly automated world class bakery.  Panelto has recently gone through a major expansion doubling the size of the existing factory and workforce. Due to this expansion we are looking for a Senior Technical and New Product Development Manager to lead the NPD, Technical and Quality teams.

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About the role:

Reporting to the General Manager, the individual with lead, grow and motivate a talented team of NPD, NPI, Technical and Quality Assurance staff. Overall responsibilities for managing and supporting the delivery of innovative high quality products working closely with all internal teams in delivering business results. This is a specialised development role requiring an important combination of product and process knowledge. The role offers an excellent opportunity for an individual who would like to work in a dynamic and innovative growing environment.

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What you will do:

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NPD Development and Delivery:

• Own the development lifecycle and responsibility for managing technical risks throughout projects.

• Provides technical direction for the development, design, and systems integration for customer engagement from definition phase through implementation.

• Applies significant knowledge of industry trends and developments to improve consumer knowledge to our customers.

• Easily recognises kitchen product development deficiencies and implements effective solutions prior to factory trial execution.

• Executes the effective management of all the aspects of scale up trials through the NPI process teams.

• Identifies competent raw material suppliers that will support innovation at competitive pricing.

 

Quality Management and Systems Compliance:

• Ensure quick reactive responses to customer enquiries on all aspects of product quality, food health and safety concerns.

• Meet all customer audit requirements (BRC/PIU/Ethical/etc.).

• Complies with and helps to enforce best practice standards throughout the manufacturing facility.

• Ensures latest food standard regulatory requirements are kept up to date and relevant.

• Ensures that all suppliers meet our customer specification requirements for all raw materials used in the process.

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Customer relationships and interface:

• Manages customer interaction and expectations regarding new product development projects.

• Manages customer briefs from concept to product launch.

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• Develops lasting relationships with client personnel that foster customer ties.

• Works in tandem with the relevant account managers to achieve business goal objectives.

• Communicates effectively with customers to identify needs and evaluate alternative technical solutions.

• Continually seeks opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and deepen client relationships through consistency panel evaluation and quality improvement plans.

• Builds a knowledge base of each customer’s category and product aspirations.
   

Technical Management:

• Manages and develops the Technical, NPD and Quality teams through the Performance Management Process.

• Facilitates effective team interaction.

• Holds regular status meetings with development team.

• Engages with cross functional teams across the business to support the achievement of business objectives.

• Manage all NPD grant submissions related to new product research development,

• Deliver the budget targets for the department.

 

Sustainability Assurance:

• Lead the development of sustainability across the business.

• Developing and implementing the next phase of the company’s sustainability program.

• Lead the development of the Origin Green Strategy.

• Coordination of quarterly and annual, internal meetings and external reporting.

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Job Requirements:

• Third level degree in Food/Bakery/Related [Technical/Scientific/Applied]

• NPD/Technical/Quality Management experience - Consumer Food/Bakery - Minimum 8 years

• Experienced with Irish & UK Retailers and/or Food Service

• Demonstrate successful development & launch achievements

• Culinary flair and interest - drive and passion for food

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Competencies:

• Strong Leadership, Interpersonal & Relationship Building skills

• Strategic & Analytical Thinker

• Strong Planning, Organising and Time Management skills

• Creativity & Innovation

• Excellent Communication Skills

• Change Management & Influence

• Building & Leading Teams

• Developing & Coaching Individuals/Teams

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Remuneration:

• Excellent salary and benefits package – negotiable

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CV and Cover Letter submission should be sent to Martina Fitzpatrick, HR Manager,via email: mfitzpatrick@paneltofoods.ie

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