Process Development Manager

Job Description: Process Development Manager (Fixed-Term, 12 Months)

Location: Liverpool

Role Overview

This fixed-term opportunity, lasting approximately 12 months to cover maternity leave, offers a unique chance to lead and support process development projects within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. The role focuses on delivering technical excellence in manufacturing processes, supporting new product development (NPD), continuous improvement initiatives, and operational efficiency enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Leadership: Lead process development projects, including NPD, manufacturing changes, and critical business requirements (CBR), ensuring timely, cost-effective, and high-quality outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: Manage and implement initiatives to enhance process consistency, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.
• Technical Support: Provide hands-on technical support for manufacturing operations, ensuring operational and quality standards are met.
• Factory Trials: Plan, manage, and report on factory trials related to VI, NPD, procurement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing: Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to drive technical excellence and improve performance and product quality.
• Process Standardisation: Develop and standardise plant methods and practices to enhance manufacturing standards.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to COSHH, HACCP, and change protocol procedures during all trials and operations.
• Product Specifications: Develop and maintain process and product specifications in line with plant capabilities.

Essential:

• HND or equivalent in Food, Science, Manufacturing, or Engineering.
• Hands-on technical knowledge of process development in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality and manufacturing processes.
• Significant experience in a factory/process role, applying Lean Sigma methodology.
• Proven success in continuous improvement and change implementation projects.
• Experience in team collaboration on cross-functional projects.
• Familiarity with factory environments.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Degree in Food, Science, Manufacturing, or Engineering.
• Formal business qualification (e.g., Management Diploma, MBA).
• Six Sigma/Lean Sigma training.
• Experience in a technical role within an FMCG company.

Key Deliverables

• Successful implementation of NPD and value improvement projects.
• Continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
• Standardisation of methods and practices across the site.
• Compliance with health, safety, and food safety standards.
• Support for innovation and justifications for capital investment.