Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

REPORT TO: Senior Product Manager

LOCATION: Hybrid (2 days per week) commuting distance to Christchurch, Dorset

Purpose of the role:

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-past environment and be passionate about all things snacking! We are looking for an individual who can build lasting relationships, have a problem-solving mindset, is not shy of multi-tasking, knows how to prioritise, learn quickly, and be open to a challenge – previous experience in a similar role or a graduate with a food-based degree or background.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in all functions of the product development process including market washouts, trend spotting, tracking new product launches
• Responsible for sending out courier packages and sample management
• Critical path management to ensure projects are developed on time
• Work and follow up with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all areas of the account are being run effectively
• Prepare and write copy for product, sales & marketing materials
• Support and manage product and design briefs. Working closely with the design team to produce and adjust designs to fit customer/brand requirements
• Be able to work with a diverse workload across a variety of product areas
• Send regular updates regarding the business and product development
• Support regular market washouts and comp shopping to ensure market awareness
• Support on raising product and design briefs and managing system uploads
• Sample Management
• Trend analysis and ability to collate and present back findings
• Passionate about snacking! This is not a role in a development kitchen but instrumental to lead exciting new product development launches.

About you:

• Can do attitude with a positive mindset
• Self-motivated
• Analytical
• Ability to multi-task on multiple projects
• Confident in communicating and developing relationships with internal and external
• Passion for product and an interest in retail
• A willingness to learn and improve and have a ‘hands on’ approach.
• Can show examples of cross functional working
• Appetite to learn new categories and explore new product ranges
• Strong time management and a proactive work ethic
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Be reliable and committed
• Fluent use of Microsoft Office – in particular Outlook, Excel and Power Point

What we offer:

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
• Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities · Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Generous Company Sick Pay
• Pension Scheme Contribution
• Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Dress down Fridays
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay