Manpower are currently seeking an interim Senior Product Developer (Food) to work with our global FMCG client The Magnum Ice Cream Company, renowned for brands such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at our client's Research & Development facility, at Colworth Science Park, in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire (MK44), accessible by car or shuttle bus from Bedford train station.
This is a full-time temporary role to run until mid-March 2027, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £43,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company in Europe is large and highly successful. The EU Ice Cream Research Development and Innovation (RD&I) team is the driving force behind the creation and delivery of benefit-led, innovative ice cream products across our world-renowned global (e.g. Magnum, Carte d'Or, Cornetto, Walls), premium (e.g. B&J, GROM) and regional (e.g. Cremissimo, Ingman, Evga, Cucciolone) brands. The team embrace agile innovation and are fully connected to countries and markets to land global, regional, and local projects in the markets.

The business reaches across all Ice Cream experiences from familiar in-home tubs, pints and mono portions and out of home scooping to global and local classics and kid's favourites.

In this role you will be the RD&I first point of contact in an area of the portfolio. You will lead projects in close partnership across functions (Marketing; Supply Chain; Procurement) as well as key (external) partners and suppliers (e.g. 3PM, Flavour and Ingredients suppliers). You will manage a portfolio of projects across innovation, quality, complexity and cost reduction. And will use your understanding of consumer and customer needs to shape and deliver brilliant, sustainable, product experiences.

Key Accountabilities

• Plan, organise and execute a variety of project types as assigned under guidance from line manager, working closely with RD&I experts from a variety of fields.
• Work closely with marketing teams in global, European and local country teams to define projects scope at start of projects.
• Use your creative talents to develop great products.
• Lead technical delivery of projects. This includes diverse topics such as product concept development; formulation design; lab and pilot plant prototypes; cost calculation; specifications; quality assessments; legislation compliance checks and claims assessments.
• Manage supplier relationships working closely with other functions such as Procurement.
• Lead and manage pilot plant and factory trials for prototype/product development.
• Write and manage specifications and systems data for the products you work on.
• Provide key updates for our Innovation Process Management and other relevant systems
• Develop selling stories and supporting Customer Development teams with sell-in meetings.
• Provide support and training for more junior members of the team.

Key Requirements

• Experience of leading projects from brief to delivering in-market is essential.
• Must have experience in the food sector - background in food technology or product development preferred.
• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) and/or relevant experience in a technical discipline preferably in food technology or development.
• European language skills are highly desirable
• Experience of working cross-functionally and with third parties
• Passion for creative food product design and development
• Excellent communication and project management skills
• Attention to detail especially with experimentation, data recording and analysis
• Time management and priority setting
• Health & Safety awareness

Additional Information

Occasional short business-trips within Europe may be required.

Colworth Science Park working environment:

• 9 miles from Bedford
• 18 miles from M1
• Modern working environment in a beautiful, listed building
• Large green outdoor spaces

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