Food Innovation Manager

The Role: Overall Purpose (Adding Value to Pret)

The main objective of the Food Innovation Manager is to identify and develop new and innovative products, ingredients and concepts that champion the Pret brand and to ensure that all products that are developed and sold in Pret shops meet our stringent requirements.

This role follows the strategic direction of Pret food in line with Pret’s core values and translates it into products suitable for sale in the US and our international business if appropriate.

The role has responsibility for the introduction of new and imaginative foods and drinks and for the implementation and delivery of product development and the quality of ingredients and finished products.

This role support delivery of the food plan in line with the product launch schedule and targeted theoretical cost of food.

Taking direction from the Director of Food, this person is responsible for developing and preparing delicious Pret Made to Sell (MTS) and Bought to Sell (BTS) products that meet and exceed our customer expectations and keep Pret at the front of the market. The role must also ensure recipes can be produced efficiently in a Pret kitchen and maintain quality while on display in our shops.

This person delivers food related trials and launches and ensures sufficient training and follow up is given to all shops before and during tests or launch.  

 Scope of Role

This person manages new food development at Pret and takes direction and works with the Director of Food and Vice President of Food and Coffee to ensure Pret’s food exceeds customer expectations and stays ahead of the competition.

This person will work with cross functional teams to manage delivery of the Food & Coffee Plan whilst ensuring that the food is to Pret standard and that cost of products and ingredients are in line with product budgets.

This role proactively assists in the weekly food meeting to present concepts and products and to support a robust launch process as directed by the Director of Food, ensuring that the food is to Pret standard and aligns with our operational processes.

This person oversees the carrying out of life, batch and weights & measures procedures testing on their products to Pret standards.

This person works with the cross functional teams to produce accurate and user-friendly information for shops for all major product launches. This person will also work with suppliers to ensure ingredients and products that are produced in plants match the quality as developed in the bench recipe.

This role is a critical support to the success of any product tests in test shops, as well as for the cascading of information regarding the product to our Operations team in preparation for launch.

In summary this role proposes and gives direction for Pret food innovation in the US and manages the translation of these into Pret products through concept to launch.

Core Responsibilities

Research and identify key innovation and new product development opportunities that will give Pret a real point of difference and an advantage in the market and propose sound business cases to support these proposals.

−        Work with the Food Leadership Team to agree individual lines and ranges for development or for upgrade for each season.

−        Ensure all proposed work is achievable and commercially viable.

−        Evolve and oversee a healthy and achievable approval process for food development to ensure all recipes are signed off prior to launch.

−        Monitor food costs with the buying team and continually measure performance against the food plan and the product budgets.

−        Work with suppliers to ensure production products and ingredients match bench samples & recipes.

−        Attend and present work in progress during weekly Food meetings.

−        Regularly communicate and provide weekly development updates to the Food Leadership Team to ensure that they are always up to date with all development work and product launch status.

−        To develop Recipe Cards for all new products in Adobe Indesign, ensuring they are easily understandable and completed for product launch printing deadlines

−        Manage recipe changes as and when required in the Pret Food System.

−        The role oversees the day-to-day running of the Development Kitchen, upholding all kitchen standards, including ordering of products and ingredients, ensuring stock rotation and cleanliness.

Food Education

Present the new launch concepts and recipe assembly to the Food launch team, the US Management Team, Operations Managers and Directors as and when necessary.

Assist in any shop team member training, concerned with new products, packaging or processing.

Attend relevant local food expos and regularly review the market to look for new concepts and ideas.

Pret Behaviors

Passion

Clear Talking

Great Execution

Open to Change

Team Working

Innovation & Creativity

One Pret

Required Skills / Knowledge

Absolute passion for food, and particularly a great enthusiasm for fresh, high-quality food

−        Minimum 3- 5 years product development experience or equivalent in a food manufacturer or restaurant company or similar

−        Culinary Degree

−        Sound financial and commercial acumen

−        Good knowledge of shop operations

−        Attention to detail

−        Able to work under pressure and deliver within tight deadlines

−        Able to communicate effectively (verbal and written)

−        Able to use initiative and work on own

−        Able to challenge perceived norms in production and recipes

−        Able to plan work effectively

−        Proven ability to deliver new concepts and ideas

7.          Additional Information

Infrequently be available and willing to travel within US and Canada.