This newly created role is within a leading food group that is a major player in the manufacture and supply of pastry products and operates on an international platform. Whilst already leading the product category in many ways, they are keen to further develop their business reach through the appointment of a highly experienced innovation professional who can look globally across food trends and product developments to provide true strategic advantage. The successful candidate could come from a Technical, Development or Operational background, but definitely must have in-depth knowledge of pastry processing. You must also be able to undertake an influencing executive role within the Group, leading innovation through central and site based "virtual teams" who report locally into line management. There will be a significant freedom to act in this appointment, so the client is keen to secure a candidate who needs little direction; someone who prefers to agree a plan and then implement it themselves through their own initiative and project management ability. Where new processing or packaging methodologies are being developed, it would be very useful for candidates to have a working knowledge of IP issues if possible. This Head of Innovation role is clearly exciting and could offer the successful candidate a great career opportunity to work across international boundaries; as a result the ability to travel on a fairly regular basis will be necessary. As to location, this role could be based at any number of UK business units.

Ref MGS7264