Senior Development Manager

Are you an experienced development leader looking for an opportunity to combine technical expertise, project leadership, and team management within a global ingredients business?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a world-leading organisation in a senior leadership role, taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of the development team while delivering exciting customer-led innovation projects. Based in London, you'll lead a team of two and work closely with customers and cross-functional stakeholders to bring new products from concept through to launch. This role would suit someone who enjoys balancing hands-on technical development with people leadership and strategic project delivery.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Leading customer-facing product development, reformulation, and optimisation projects from concept through to launch and post-launch support
• Managing multiple technical workstreams and applying stage-gate project management principles to ensure successful delivery
• Providing technical leadership across ingredient qualification, formulation, and applied development activities
• Leading scale-up trials across manufacturing sites and ensuring smooth transfer from development into production
• Troubleshooting technical and manufacturing challenges using data-driven approaches
• Managing sensory evaluation programmes and translating findings into development recommendations
• Preparing and approving technical documentation, specifications, and process control information
• Leading customer engagement activities, supporting commercial teams with presentations, product showcases, and technical discussions
• Collaborating with operations, quality, procurement, supply chain, finance, and marketing teams to support innovation and business growth
• Providing day-to-day leadership and development for a team of two, ensuring priorities are aligned to business requirements
• Managing laboratory activities, equipment, budgets, and ensuring GMP and health and safety standards are maintained
• Supporting shelf-life programmes, analytical testing, and continuous improvement initiatives across the function

What's required?

• Proven experience in a senior technical or development role within the food or FMCG sector
• Strong expertise in product development, manufacturing technologies, and scale-up activities
• Experience leading complex projects from laboratory through to full-scale production
• Strong project management capabilities and familiarity with stage-gate processes
• Experience managing pilot and factory trials and delivering projects to cost and timing targets
• Previous people management experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams
• Strong understanding of HACCP principles and food safety requirements
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• A customer-focused mindset with experience supporting external customer relationships and identifying new opportunities
• Strong analytical and computer skills, with experience using digital tools and project management systems
• A degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Agriculture, or a related scientific discipline
• An advanced qualification or experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies would be advantageous

What's in it for you?

A fantastic opportunity to join a global leader in ingredients and innovation, leading a talented development team while working closely with customers to deliver exciting products from concept through to launch.

Do you think you fit the criteria?
Want to find out more about the role?