We have a rare and exciting opportunity to join our Waitrose Innovation team as a Head of Production Innovation.

As Head of Product Innovation, you will lead a team that are at the heart of identifying new trends and opportunities to launch innovation and be an ambassador for Waitrose & Partners internally and externally regarding food innovation.

By encompassing the needs and desires of our target customers and understanding our customer journey ambitions, you will ensure that all product innovation balances quality, inspiration and margins.

You will be responsible for ensuring all products from concept to launch land on time and in budget through collaborative working internally and with the supplier base.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to

Lead a strategic approach to developing a trend and insight led Innovation and product plan. Keep abreast of key customer requirements, market conditions and trends, including technological advancements to strengthen Waitrose reputation as an innovator.

Own the tension between product quality and margin. Champions Own Brand standards to differentiate our offer through quality and innovation with clear brand architecture. Set clear intent, direction and guardrails to achieve outcomes, for new products, aligned to the strategy.

Champion the product innovation culture across the business. Acts as an ambassador and champions quality food, both internally and externally and is the business conscience on food. Ensure the Customer Directorate is fully engaged to enable target customers’ needs and expectations of our product are understood and fulfilled.

Essential skills

• Degree level or equivalent in a food related subject

• Extensive experience in a Product Development/ Innovation role in retail, manufacturing, food service or equivalent

• A visionary, dynamic and delivery focused leader with a proven track record of leading successful propositions that engage,Inspire and motivate large, cross functional teams

• Strategic and analytical approach with the ability to think commercially and influence & lead internal stakeholders to ensure Support and alignment across Commercial & Customer teams

• A proven track record of product / marketing/ commercial and operational leadership and the delivery of results in a retail or other customer facing business

• Wide network within retail and manufacturing industry.

Benefits of the Partnership and the role:

• ?️ - Full - time working holiday entitlement 25 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays

• ⚖ - Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our marketing leading equal parenthood leave Policy

• ? - Defined Contribution pension scheme where your contributions will be matched by the Partnership (up to 8% of pay) and, after three years’ service, you’ll receive an additional Partnership contribution of 4% of pay, regardless of whether you pay in or not

• ? - You’ll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete probation. That’s 25% off in John Lewis & Partners (12% off electrical products) and 20% in Waitrose & Partners. You’ll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount

• ? - Health Care cover

• ? - Car allowance

• ? - Simple cycle to work support scheme

• ? - We’re really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain’s most beautiful areas and once you’ve been with us for three months, you’re welcome to explore them

• ? - Learn more about our extensive range of exciting benefits that you could enjoy when you join us, visit - https://www.jlpjobs.com/about/benefits/

Next Steps

• The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to in time. (If internal, check your Workday notifications and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process").

• Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a 1st stage interview.

• You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

• Thanks for your patience in the meantime and for showing an interest in joining JLP.

• We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply early

You can view a copy of the full job outline here (internal only)

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At the John Lewis Partnership, we embrace our differences. We want you to be you. Because, well, we know you're at your best when you're free to be yourself.

Being a truly inclusive employer to us means creating an environment which celebrates your contribution, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion or belief. It's why we've set our own aim to become the UK’s most inclusive business - for our Partners (employees) and our customers.

We firmly believe that our future success lies in diversity of thought from all Partners and it's integral in our mission to build a happier world. ? ?

We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us. And, once you're a Partner, your differences will make all the difference.

Find out more about D&I in the Partnership here.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where it is possible to do so. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.