Location: Windsor, UK

Salary: Up to £75,000

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

 

Benefits include:

• Car Allowance
• Up to 15% bonus
• Private Medical Cover
• Life Cover
• Income Protection
• Critical Illness Cover
• Pension
• Holiday- 25 days per year plus your Birthday and Bank Holidays
• Gym Membership – 50% off at Snap Fitness, Windsor
• Hybrid working

 

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 Head of Category Development is responsible for the product range and the development activity of their product category and launch of all products in their region. Providing leadership for his category team, this role is instrumental in shaping the strategy and tactical execution of food development. Ensuring that the pipeline of NPD activity is underpinned by market-leading creativity and sound commercial efficiencies.

 

We are looking for 3 Heads of Category Development with a high level of experience in one of the following areas;

• Dairy, Ice Cream and Dessert
• Bakery, Cake, Handheld hot & cold
• Meal and Snack Solutions

 

Key responsibilities

 

• Drive the strategic development plans of set product categories (global).

(in close collaboration with the Sales, Procurement, Technical Team)

ensuring that product developed & refreshed to support the business

growth. Avoid unnecessary drift and spread in range eliminating

obsolescence and optimising inventory.

• Lead the formulation (in collaboration with other Head of Categories, and

regional Head of Food) of the food development innovation pipeline

ensuring the Food development team as a clear direction of travel.

• 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, in person Client presentation, product document

collaterals.

• Work in partnership with colleagues across the business and supplier base

to deliver 'best in class innovative products.

• Follow 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 QA & product

surveillance program is consistently delivered.

• Support the Technical team by providing SME (subject matter expert)

knowledge supporting nonconformance investigations 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.

• Business travel is expected to be undertaken as part of the role and

frequencies varies throughout the year.