At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation.
Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week.
As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK.
Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.
Job Description
We are looking for a R&D Manager (Process) to be based at our Matthew Walker Factory to lead the end to end development of new bakery products, raw materials and processes, ensuring right‑first‑time delivery to agreed critical paths. The role strengthens strategic customer partnerships, drives innovation, and ensures scientific and technical excellence across pilot plant and factory environments.
- Lead product development projects from concept through post‑launch, ensuring on‑time, in‑full delivery.
- Act as primary technical contact for customer developers, nurturing, collaborative and dynamic relationships.
- Prepare and deliver trial review presentations, manage pre-productions, and attend launch visits.
- Build subject‑matter expertise in bakery technology and trends.
- Engage suppliers to identify product, ingredient, and technology opportunities.
- Maintain accurate, auditable project documentation and trackers.
- Provide clear, consistent project updates to all stakeholders.
- Deputise when required.
- Line‑manage, coach and develop Technologists/Technicians.
- Drive continuous improvement of procedures, documentation, and ways of working.
Qualifications
- Strong passion for food and innovation.
- Clear and confident communication skills (written, verbal and presentations).
- Ability to collaborate effectively across all organisational levels.
- High attention to detail, strong organisation and forward‑thinking mindset.
- Commercially aware and comfortable with data and numbers.
- Demonstrates agility, resilience and capacity to create and embrace change.
- Experience in food manufacturing, ideally NPD or R&D.
- Understanding of food process technologies
- Experience engaging cross‑functionally and with external stakeholders.
- Competent in MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
- Full UK clean driving license.
Additional Information
What we offer you in return
- Matched pension scheme
- Death in service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Canteen
- Retailer discount platform
- Staff discount
- And plenty more!
£80k per annum
...Actemium Automation Nottingham , part of VINCI Energies , is seeking a Business Development Manager to grow our automation services and solutions within manufacturing, process and regulated sectors. You will be responsible for developing new client relationships, managing...SuggestedPermanentFull-timeHybrid workingOn-siteFlexible hours£27k - £33k per annum
...engaging, and developing relationships with care providers across the UK. You'll speak directly with owners, directors, registered managers, responsible individuals, and senior leaders, taking the time to understand the challenges they're facing and introducing specialist...SuggestedLong-term contractFull-timeOn-site- £34k - £45k per annumEstimated...Assessment (digital assessment and marking solutions), Technology (managed services, hardware, and software for schools), and TTS (... ...their whole selves to work. We also want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible for everyone. Should you require additional...SuggestedExtra incomeFull-timeHybrid working
£50.03k per annum
...professional with strong written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex financial matters clearly to non-financial managers and senior stakeholders. You will be organised, numerate and capable of analysing complex issues, recommending practical solutions and...SuggestedPermanentFull-timeFlexible hoursNight shift£27k - £33k per annum
...engaging with care providers that may benefit from Delphi's specialist services. You'll be speaking with owners, directors, registered managers, and senior leaders across the care sector, taking the time to understand their challenges and introducing solutions that can...SuggestedLong-term contractFull-timeOn-site
Do you want to receive more vacancies?
Subscribe and receive similar vacancies to R&D Manager (Process). Be the first to apply!
