Overview

Location : Herne Hill, LondonWorking Pattern : Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm (1-hour lunch break)Contract Type : Full-time, PermanentAbout us :At Rondanini, we are passionate about creating exceptional food. While our roots are proudly Italian, our reach now goes far beyond – offering a diverse and innovative range of products tailored to today’s ever-evolving tastes. As part of the wider Vita Food Group, we develop, produce and deliver high-quality food to retailers, restaurants and foodservice customers across the UK and beyond.Behind every great product is a talented team. We are now looking for a creative, detail-focused Product Developer to help us keep our ranges fresh, relevant and ahead of the curve.About the Role :This is a hands-on and fast-paced role for someone who’s passionate about food and enjoys turning great ideas into real-world products. You’ll be responsible for developing both branded and own-label products across a variety of categories, working closely with our own manufacturing sites and trusted third-party suppliers.You’ll report to the NPD Manager and collaborate daily with colleagues across technical, commercial, supply chain and sales teams, as well as directly with customers and manufacturers.What You’ll Be Doing

Trend and Insight GatheringResearch food trends through store visits, social media, restaurants and trade showsBenchmark competitor products and identify opportunities for improvement or innovationShare trend reports and insights with internal teams and suppliersProduct DevelopmentWrite clear, commercially focused briefs for suppliers and manufacturersDevelop new recipes in line with customer requirements, technical standards and costing targetsEnsure all products meet safety, nutritional, quality and legal standardsPresent product concepts and final proposals to customers, including rationale, tiering and packagingProject ManagementManage projects from concept to launch, maintaining project trackers and critical pathsCoordinate and attend factory trials and product launchesHandle ad hoc sample requests for photography, PR and merchandisingMaintain accurate records and documentation throughout the development processWhat You’ll Bring

This role is ideal for someone with hands-on experience in food product development and a strong grasp of retail requirements. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to manage multiple projects and collaborate across functions.You’ll Need

Previous experience in a food product development or NPD role, ideally with retail-facing exposureA genuine passion for food and cooking, with strong sensory evaluation skills and awareness of food trendsRetail understanding – either from working directly for a retailer or confidently meeting retailer needs and expectationsStrong project management and organisational skills – able to keep multiple projects on track in a fast-paced environmentExcellent attention to detail and a practical, problem-solving mindsetConfidence presenting ideas, concepts and finished products to customersA collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships internally and externallyFlexibility to travel across the UK and EuropeA full UK driving licenceWhat Will Help You Thrive

You love food and stay curious about trends, ingredients and what’s nextYou’re a self-starter – proactive, practical and happy to take the lead when neededYou’re confident in front of customers and take pride in delivering great workYou’re flexible, resilient and enjoy working at pace – food and FMCG can move fast, so being calm under pressure and able to adapt is essentialYou work well with others, share knowledge openly and build strong relationshipsYou respond well to feedback and are always looking to improveYou enjoy working with others to deliver great products and great resultsWhat We Offer

Career Development:

We provide opportunities for growth and learning.Annual Leave:

23 Days + Bank Holidays (rising to 25 days with length of service)Wellness day:

Take 1 wellness day every year on usOnsite Gym:

Enjoy our free to use head office gymDiscounts:

Get 15% off trade prices at our sister company, Salvo 1968, and access to exclusive offers on companyshopgroup.co.uk.Health and Wellbeing Support:

Access to mental health, legal, and financial advice via our Employee Assistance Programme.Cycle to Work Scheme:

Save on your commute with our green initiative.Product Tasting:

Regular opportunities to sample our delicious products!Team Socials:

Join us for annual Christmas and summer parties, plus quarterly team gatherings.Enhanced Family Leave:

up to 6 months fully paid maternity / adoption leave and up to 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave, paid leave for fertility treatment for both partners. (based on length of service)

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