New Product Developer - Own Brand - FTC (Part-Time)
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (9 months)
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: Part-time, 3 days per week (24 hours)
Level: Mid-Level
Reports to: Own Brand Lead
Application Closing Date: Friday 21st August
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
This role is responsible for driving the growth of the Ocado Own Brand range through the development of new products (NPD) and the renewal of the existing range. This role is focused on speed to market, filling basket gaps, and ensuring our products remain competitive and commercially relevant. Working part-time (3 days per week), the successful candidate will be a proactive, hands-on developer who can operate at pace and help coach and develop junior members of the team.
What you’ll do
Identify and develop new product opportunities, with a focus on filling basket gaps in the Own Brand range
Lead the renewal and refresh of existing products to maintain relevance and quality
Drive speed to market across the product development pipeline, removing blockers and keeping projects on track
Conduct competitor and market analysis to identify opportunities and benchmark product performance
Manage supplier relationships to support timely and cost-effective product delivery
Coach and support the team in their development, sharing expertise and best practices across the product development process
Accountabilities
Accountable for the delivery of NPD and Review & Refresh projects within agreed timelines
Responsible for identifying and prioritising basket gap opportunities
Ensure products meet quality, cost, and commercial targets
Support the progression and development of junior team members through active coaching and mentoring
Maintain strong supplier and stakeholder relationships to enable efficient project delivery
Who you are
Proven experience in Own Brand product development, ideally within a grocery or retail environment
Strong track record of delivering NPD and product refreshes at pace, with a focus on time to market
Commercially minded, with the ability to identify and prioritise basket gap opportunities
Solid understanding of supplier management, sourcing, and product specification
Collaborative working style with the ability to coach and mentor junior colleagues
Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
Genuine passion for food and/or non-food product quality and innovation
What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You'll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
Spend & Save: Recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
