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Job Location: Alfreton, Derbyshire
About the Role:
Are you passionate about transforming ideas into industrial success stories? In this exciting role, you’ll ensure seamless collaboration between Research & Development (R&D) and the Industrial Department by leading the industrialisation of new projects and driving continuous improvement initiatives across Ferrero’s product categories.
As an R&D Project Manager, you will play a central role in bridging innovation and operations—translating product concepts into efficient, high-quality, and scalable manufacturing processes. Working within a global, fast-paced environment, you’ll partner closely with cross-functional teams across R&D, Engineering, Packaging, and Manufacturing to deliver projects that enhance quality, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction. Your technical expertise and leadership will ensure that new product developments are brought to life successfully, on time, and within budget.
This is a fixed-term contract for approximately 12–14 months, with an expected start date in February 2026.
Main Responsibilities:
You will act as project manager for key category and industrialisation projects, coordinating the full lifecycle from feasibility studies through to implementation. You’ll ensure each initiative aligns with portfolio strategies defined by the Global Category team and meets Ferrero’s standards for quality, cost, and operational efficiency.
Collaborating with internal stakeholders, including Global Category, Industrial, and Engineering teams, you will provide clear project status updates and performance reporting to ensure transparency and alignment at every stage. You’ll also play a critical role in developing packaging projects in partnership with Packaging Category Managers—ensuring innovative, sustainable, and technically feasible packaging solutions.
In addition to managing existing projects, you’ll actively contribute to category innovation by identifying and developing new technical opportunities. Working closely with Ferrero Engineering and design teams, you’ll analyse proposals, conduct feasibility studies, and support the industrial development of new technologies and processes that drive continuous improvement.
You will also take responsibility for leading and developing your team. Through effective coaching, performance management, and empowerment, you will foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability—ensuring your team has the skills and motivation to deliver outstanding results in line with Ferrero’s values.
About You:
We’re seeking a technically minded and results-oriented professional with a strong background in project management, R&D, or industrial engineering. You’ll bring hands-on experience in managing complex industrialisation or innovation projects within FMCG, food manufacturing, or a similar technical environment.
You should have a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, packaging technologies, and R&D-to-production integration, combined with strong analytical and organisational skills. The ability to influence and engage multiple stakeholders—from R&D and Engineering to Manufacturing and Global Category teams—is essential, as is a structured approach to problem-solving and project delivery.
You’ll demonstrate strong leadership and people management capabilities, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture. Excellent communication and presentation skills will help you drive engagement across functions, while your curiosity and technical insight will fuel innovation and continuous improvement.
If you’re motivated by seeing your projects come to life on a global scale, and you’re eager to contribute to Ferrero’s legacy of quality and creativity, this role offers the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Our Benefits & Perks:
Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.
About Ferrero:
Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.
DE&I at Ferrero:
Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.