Job Specifications
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 suppl