Product Developer (Food & Grocery Non-Food)

At a Glance Contract Type: Permanent Location: Bracknell based with hybrid working, expectation to attend the office 3 days per week Salary: £48,300 - £77,200 per annum About the role We have an exciting opportunity to join our Waitrose Own Brand team as a Product Developer for food and grocery non-food. You will develop and deliver new & improved innovative and quality products, aligned to Own brand values whilst understanding and managing the commercial implications of development in the grocery environment. You will build, strengthen and own the NPD relationships between Waitrose and suppliers within the projects being worked on. Key responsibilities Keeps abreast of customer strategy, insight, market direction and consumer trends including those in food and lifestyle, packaging and ingredients to anticipate current and future customer needs. Uses such insight together with internal and external sources of data to develop product proposition plans ensuring that speed to market and commercial viability is optimised. Able to understand and clearly articulate good, better and best tiering principles and apply with clear product values in line with the Waitrose own brand strategy. Good understanding of NPD capability within the supply base to support quality & innovation. Uses knowledge to contribute to supplier strategy discussions for NPD to support the food (fresh & ambient) category requirements. Collaborates with cross-functional teams on assigned projects to lead efficient delivery of NPD following a stage and gate development process ensuring critical path targets are met. Essential skills A passion for product with an active interest in food and drinks market trends, with the ability to apply knowledge and skills to the product development Previous product development experience within Manufacturing or Retail, including experience in launching major NPD/Brand projects from end to end Proven history of high quality, commercially successful product development & supplier management Ability to analyse and interpret customer and market data Stakeholder management with ability to present at all levels Desirable skills Further qualification in food, grocery, Horti Buying experience; product technical experience Project Management Benefits of the Partnership and the role 🏖️ - Full-time working holiday entitlement 25 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays ⚖ - Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our market leading equal parenthood leave Policy 🌷- Defined Contribution pension scheme where your contributions will be matched by the Partnership (up to 8% of pay) and, after three years’ service, you’ll receive an additional Partnership contribution of 4% of pay, regardless of whether you pay in or not 🤑 - You’ll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete probation. That’s 25% off in John Lewis & Partners (12% off electrical products) and 20% in Waitrose & Partners. You’ll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount 🚴 - Simple cycle to work support scheme 💗 - Health Care cover 🏰 - We’re really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain’s most beautiful areas and you’re welcome to explore them from day 1 🌱 - Learn more about our extensive range of exciting benefits that you could enjoy when you join us, visit - (Link->https://www.jlpjobs.com/about/benefits/) Next steps The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to in time. (If internal, check your Workday notifications and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process") Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a 1 stage interview You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you Thanks for your patience in the meantime and for showing an interest in joining JLP We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply early. Internal Partners can view a copy of the full job outline (Link->https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xqym1E_z63aOcYcljWaOjDHTXq8DDxnI/view?usp=sharing) . Internal use only #LI-HYBRID #LI-HEADOFFICE #LI-ST1