Product Developer

Who we are…  

At Odysea, we believe that slow food is the necessary antidote to the restlessness of modern life. It brings us together, feeds conversation, creates new traditions, new rituals, and new stories. For us, life revolves around the kitchen table in Greece, and we want everything we create to reflect that. It's simple: we only sell food that we would happily share with our own family.  

For more than 30 years Odysea has worked with specialist suppliers to bring the finest Greek and Mediterranean products to the UK. Every product we supply has a story or something special about it: when a producer serenades their goats with classical music or painstakingly transports their beehives by boat, you can really taste their passion and dedication in the end product – and that's the real secret ingredient.  

We are an entrepreneurial and dedicated team who values our family culture, and who takes personal accountability for our customers' and suppliers' satisfaction. Our teams operate in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, highly pressurised environment, where individuals are expected to deliver against tight deadlines. We want people who are passionate, energetic, innovative and flexible to operate in our dynamic environment.  

What we're looking for…

We're looking for a Product Developer to join our growing team.  This individual will have a passion for food, our products and our ethos. They will need to have project management experience and be a highly motivated team player and communicator.  They will be uncompromising on quality and will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment with a good ability to prioritise deadlines and build effective relationships.

The role…

The Product Developer will have some experience in a product development role within an FMCG, with experience of developing and building relationships, and managing projects working closely with both internal and external stakeholders. They will need to have good attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be a passionate 'foodie'.

Because of the fast-paced, dynamic environment, we use our people's time to execute key activities add value, and we do not micromanage. We need someone who is comfortable with giving and receiving feedback so that they can address any issues immediately and be able to keep a calm head to solve problems effectively.

Based in Leyton, London (UK) and working from the office, this role will report into the Lead Product Developer 

Your day to day responsibilities…

Product Development

·       Identifying NPD and/or EPD product and/or packaging needs where applicable and manage the relevant processes.

·       Liaising with key customer contacts to understand and define customer needs, product and packaging opportunities, including scoping new NPD and EPD briefs.

·       Working with clients and suppliers to identify products and packaging solutions that can fill any gaps or create opportunities for product development. 

·       Together with the LPD, working on customer briefs – converting non-technical requirements into an NPD or EPD brief.

·       Together with the LPD, producing detailed supplier briefs. 

·       NPD sample management guidance to JPD

·       Together with the LPD, liaising with the MD regarding decisions about which suppliers to engage with for a particular brief. 

·       Together with the LPD, setting the product quality with clients, internally and with suppliers.

·       Together with JPD, sending development samples to customer, collecting and interpreting feedback regarding required improvements and amendments.

·       New product benchmarking against products on the market.

·       New packaging or existing packaging improvement management.

·       Together with the JPD, ensuring post launch project reviews take place for each project to generate actionable insights. 

Project Management

·       Liaising with retailers and suppliers on briefs.

·       Creation of critical paths and deadlines – by liaising with the LPD, all internal departments, clients and suppliers to build realistic timelines.

·       Liaising with suppliers and clients on briefs, submission forms, sampling and tender information. 

·       Keeping track of submissions and filing information accordingly.

·       Updating all parties involved regarding changes in critical path.

·       Label approval and artwork sign off process.

·       Together with JPD, cutter guides and artwork management 

·       Together with JPD, chasing artwork sign off, FTP and arthouses where necessary. 

·       Together with JPD, ensuring submission of first print labels for review.

·       Together with JPD, ensuring submission of first production samples for approval.

·       Liaising with LPD, suppliers and logistics regarding lead times for packaging, labels, product, transport.

·       Liaising with the LPD and technical regarding product specs, quality contracts, sampling and benchmarking and overall critical paths.

·       Liaising with the LPD and category team regarding submission forms and new line forms as needed.

·       Updating clients on progress accordingly. 

·       Client meetings – ensuring JPD is sending out updates to suppliers and internally. 

·       Keeping up to date with deadlines and emails that need responding.

·       Internal project updates on active projects – together with the LPD, running weekly internal NPD and Category catch ups 

·       Together with the LPD, keeping the master critical path up to date with all active projects.

Customer and Supplier NPD Management 

·       Keeping up to date with retailer and client policies, guidelines, and procedures, as related to Product Development. 

·       Attending Food Conferences and Food Exhibitions to scope out NPD, EPD and build supplier relationships. 

·       Attend client training programmes as related to product development.

·       Updating suppliers accordingly regarding any changes as related to product development.

·       Supplier visits with clients, as related to product development. 

Liaising with other Odysea Departments

·       Working with the NPD and category teams to identify consumer insights, market trends, areas of innovation, and new business opportunities for both Private Label and the Odysea brands.

·       Working with the logistics team on any potential NPD, EPD or launch issues concerning transport, storage, and supply chain management for both Private Label and the Odysea brands.

·       Together with the LPD, updating NDP/EPD project plans in centralised place to create stakeholder alignment and maintain project momentum, for both Private Label and the Odysea brands. 

Experience 

Minimum 2 years' experience in a similar role (either development or project management or both)

Ideal Background Knowledge

·       Food knowledge and expertise – a 'foodie', someone who knows what good quality looks, tastes, and smells like. 

·       Organoleptic training 

·       Mediterranean product knowledge – olives, olive oil, feta cheese, yoghurt and honey. 

·       Project management principles – resourceful, problem solver, upfront thinking, and risk management. 

·       Familiarity with UK-Retailer policies and guidelines.

·       Good to have but not essential: Packaging, Nutrition, Shelf Life, Allergen management, Food Safety, Quality Management, Statistical Sampling, Food Legislation, EU and UK legislation familiarity. Experience with Ethical Trading Principles, Sustainability, Health & Safety at Work, Sedex.

Skills

·       Advanced Project Management Skills

·       Attention to Detail

·       Strong Communication skills

·       Quality Focused

·       Cross-functional Collaboration

Personal Characteristics

·       Controlled & Professional – calm under pressure.

·       Well organised, structured, and disciplined with ability to self-direct and work unsupervised.

·       Innovative and creative

What's on offer…

• Competitive basic salary
• Pension
• BUPA Healthcare
• Employee Discounts on products
• Training and development 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Travel card loan