Location: Houston, TX
Salary: up to $120,000 
Job type: Full-time, Permanent 

 

Benefits include:

 

 

• Life Insurance
• Health Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan 
• Birthday day off 
• 34 days off a year 
• Company bonus scheme

 

Company overview

 

En Route International operates globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers. With offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE. En Route supplies premium baked goods, premium cheese, meals and snacks to the travel industry. We focus on partnering with world-class manufacturers customising products and packaging to suit individual customer needs while managing a complex supply chain with the highest levels of precision.

 

Job purpose

 

The US Head of Food is responsible for the product range, the development and launch of all new products in the US. Providing leadership to the NPD team, and ensuring that the pipeline of NPD activity is underpinned by market-leading creativity and sound commercial efficiencies, this role is instrumental in shaping the strategy and tactical execution of food development at En-Route. .

 

Key responsibilities

 

• Lead the NPD team’s success by providing leadership and personal development, driving food values and creativity as well as ensuring the team framework is robust enough for the company's growth plan
• Drive the regional category development plan (in collaboration with the procurement and Sales team, and Heads of Category Development) ensuring that product is developed & refreshed to support the business growth
• Avoid unnecessary drift and spread in range eliminating obsolescence and optimising inventory
• Collaborate closely with the Sales Team to ensure relevance of product portfolio; drive change and renewal to meet customer needs, working collaboratively with Creative and Technical teams for fast, effective new product development, Client presentation and product document collateral
• Drive our Project Management Process, managing projects ensuring critical path targets are met
• Ensure that the team have every opportunity to learn, develop and progress providing appropriate training in order that people are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their roles with confidence and progress in their careers
• Lead the successful launch of new products, ensuring comprehensive briefing of sales teams; price positioning based on intimate knowledge of competitors and substitutes; promotion and communication for market awareness
• Work closely with the Head of Technical to ensure an efficient regional QA & product surveillance program is consistently delivered
• Support the Technical team by providing SME (subject matter expert) knowledge supporting nonconformance/complaints as required 
• To undertake any other duties, which may from time to time be assigned. This job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive, but it is issued as a general framework at the time of writing
• Frequent business travel is expected to be undertaken as part of the role

 

Experience

• Culinary, Product Development background but also demonstrate a working knowledge of food manufacturing and the practicalities of creating food products for mass production
• Food on the go NPD experience would ideally place the candidate in a strong position
• Strong experience leading and developing category
• Experience in developing and leading product category development plan
• Demonstrated excellent project management skills
• A problem-solving mindset
• Proven track record of analysing and interpreting data to drive business performance
• Strong background in customer facing/ supplier facing capacity
• Creative and self-motivated with a passion for food
• Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to influence at all levels
• The ability to manage your own time effectively
• Strong understanding of market trends