MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE

To lead and develop the Technical Team, setting the vision, priorities and ways of working to deliver the team's purpose and support the company's growth strategy.

As the leader of the Technical Team, the role provides expertise in product development, formulation and manufacturing, while fostering strong partnerships with suppliers and key stakeholders across the business. The role is accountable for building team capability, continuously improving processes, and ensuring the organisation has the technical expertise and product development capability required to achieve its strategic objectives.

The post covers three key areas:

Strategy

• Work with the Head of Science & Innovation to build and execute the NPD and portfolio strategy, ensuring it supports Optibac company growth objectives and commercial priorities.
• Align and facilitate cross-functional teams to develop a promising, commercially focused product pipeline across relevant channels and markets.
• Own the portfolio management process, gateway criteria and decision-making forums to deliver the pace, rigour and success needed in NPD.
• Create and implement product strategy across existing products, renovations and new products, considering formulation, feasibility, cost and margin, format, pricing implications, channel suitability, launch readiness and post-launch optimisation.
• Review consumer needs, category insights, competitor benchmarking, pricing, market data and trend information to identify opportunities for new product development and portfolio improvement.
• Work closely with International, Marketing, Sales and Scientific Affairs to ensure product priorities, claims, documentation and registration requirements are considered early and integrated into the product strategy.

General

• Maintain accurate technical records, compliance documentation, audits and corrective actions.
• Ensure existing and new products have strong scientific evidence, working closely with Scientific Affairs to translate evidence, consumer needs and product requirements into robust final formulations.
• Lead commercially focused supplement product development, including formulation, feasibility assessment, cost and margin evaluation, raw material and supplier assessment, technical documentation, manufacturing considerations, launch readiness and post-launch optimisation.
• Evaluate probiotic strains, ingredients, formats, dose levels, product claims, pricing implications and final product specifications to ensure the complete product proposition is technically robust, commercially viable and fit for purpose.
• Support International registration requirements by ensuring technical documentation, formulation detail, ingredient evidence, claims substantiation and market-specific requirements are available and accurate.
• Have a good understanding of Health & Nutrition claims to support areas such as on-pack wording, technical substantiation and compliant product communication.

Team Management

• Lead, supervise, guide and motivate the Technical Team, fostering a positive, inclusive and collaborative team environment.
• Manage and support Technical Team advisors, ensuring team strategy, goals, priorities and tasks are directly related to company objectives.
• Set clear individual objectives and priorities, delegate effectively, monitor performance and take final responsibility for department output, quality, standards and deadlines.
• Coach and mentor team members to build capability, support professional development and enable personal growth in line with business needs and individual ambition.
• Ensure the team evolves with the needs of the business, including resourcing, ways of working, process improvements and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee project timelines, deliverables, risks and status reporting to stakeholders, ensuring projects remain aligned to agreed priorities and expectations.
• Manage team resources effectively, including budget, equipment and personnel.

DESIRABLE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to present written information in a structured and balanced way appropriate to the needs of the reader.
• Ability to understand the bigger picture and broad aims, as well as in-depth analysis and attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills, logical thinking and ability to prioritise.
• Ability to adapt and juggle multiple tasks, whilst demonstrating the ability to prioritise tasks in order of importance and meet deadlines efficiently.
• Strong administration skills and familiarity with business software such as Microsoft Office.
• Continually demonstrate confidentiality, discretion and dependability.
• Flexibility, ability and willingness to learn and pick up new processes.
• The ability to work accurately, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrate driven, hardworking and self-motivated attitude.
• Keen interest in the gut microbiome and the research in this field.
• Perseverance until appropriate level of technical detail is obtained.
• Be a good listener, have genuine interest in welfare of team members, and strive to resolve any delicate workplace issues in a constructive way.
• Be a good team worker demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and team members.
• Ability to cope well with pressure / high expectations from diverse areas of the business.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work closely with people both within the business and externally.
• Willing to travel, occasionally outside of normal working hours.

KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Relevant experience and understanding of the health food or supplement industry.
• Well established product development or technical experience in the food or supplement industry.
• Good understanding of physiology and pathology, including the involvement of the gut microbiome.
• Qualification, at least to diploma or degree level, in a health related or food science subject.
• Reading and understanding scientific publications.
• Presenting within a group.
• Leadership experience.

We believe that a diverse, inclusive culture drives creativity and success. We strive to create a workplace that values all people, where we embrace differences, and everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

For more company information visit www.optibacprobiotics.com/uk