What is THIS™?THIS™ is a high-growth, VC-backed emerging leader in producing plant-based food. Meat-alternatives, to be exact. In fact, if we’re being reallllly exact – our products are at the leading-edge of the plant-based sector in terms of taste, texture and appearance. Here’s our insta, for a quick stalk - www.instagram.com/this.uk
It’s worth mentioning that since our launch in June 2019, the company has experienced extremely significant growth in revenue. Last year, in 2023, THIS™ topped The Grocer and Alantra’s annual Fast 50 list, a ranking of the country’s fastest-growing food and drink companies on two-year sales growth. We have strong aspirations to continue this growth trajectory as we aim to be the number 1 plant-based brand in the UK and beyond and we believe we have the team and investment to achieve this.
We’ve also been a certified B Corp since 2022, which means we meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This certification reflects our passion and commitment to balancing profit with purpose, ensuring that we make a positive impact on our employees, communities, and the environment while continuing to grow our business.
Why are we doing THIS™?Andy and Pete are our co-founders and their last job entailed selling tonnes (literally tonnes) of meat. Then they felt bad. Also, they felt like meat-alternatives weren't really for people who love the taste of meat. So they’ve basically ended up making THIS™ for themselves, but they’d love other meat-lovers to give it a go too. THIS™ is a game-changer.
At our core, our vision is to have a world where animals aren’t food and the environment is protected.
Our mission statement to guide us to getting there is:
“We will lead a revolution with our ridiculously delicious and nutritious plant-based food.”What’s with this role?
The successful candidate will join the company’s Innovation team in a fixed-term contract for 6-9 months, reporting to one of our Technical Project Managers (TPM). This role sits within the development team, with a focus on launching NPD products into market in 2025, ensuring a successful transition from concept to the factory alongside overall management of the project with support from the TPM. We would need the person to start immediately, where possible.
- What will you be getting up to?Lead the development, including lab and pilot trials where required.
- Work closely with our manufacturer and lead the implementation of NPD into the factory, through scale up to first production
- Project management of projects with support from TPMs
- Planning, organisation and controlling of resources (ingredients, deliveries, lab consumables etc) to deliver concept samples in order to meet required deadlines.
- Utilise the critical path for launches, understanding key milestones for hitting retailer deadlines
- Work with our manufacturers to ensure product launch is successful, including all the correct paperwork has been completed, signed off and line leaders are trained
- Support on packaging requirements for projects, alongside our Packaging Manager
- Organisation and delivery of taste panels to present concepts and progress throughout development phases to stakeholders and share findings
- Deliver world leading claims and labelling for new products on the market, with a focus on clean label initiatives
- Development of quality standards, procedures and specifications to ensure the products you develop meet quality expectations and are compliant with food safety regulations
You will be based at our new head office in Ravenscourt Park, London. This is also home to our Innovation team, with brand new kitchen & lab facilities where all our wacky ideas come to life!
As the lead product developer on projects you will be predominantly based either at our manufacturers or in the lab & kitchen facility when required. The Innovation team is office-based and expected to be in the office at least 4 days a week, with some travel to our external suppliers and co-manufacturing sites where necessary. This role requires agility where no 2 days are the same!
- What are we looking for?Proven track record in product development in FMCG and significant experience in project management
- Someone with a deep, end-to-end understanding of the food innovation process, from idea conception to launching a product to market.
- A degree in food science, chemistry, engineering or equivalent.
- Experience working with suppliers, third party manufacturers or co-packers.
- Passion for food and sustainability. Taste and quality are TOP of our agenda.
- A problem solver - science is at the heart of our innovation team. So we actively stay ahead of the competition, it's essential we are constantly developing functional solutions to deliver game-changing products.
- Ability and interest to work cross-functionally, we’re a small team and believe that strong collaboration will take us further than working in silos.
- Things in our business can change quickly - so being comfortable reacting calmly and quickly to unexpected opportunities and challenges is important.
Alignment with our company values:
Be Brave: We’re adaptable and embrace change, we’re resilient and have a growth mindset, we think creatively and speak up, we change course if we need to, and we learn and grow.
From our side
- A competitive salary that fairly recognises your experience and potential.
- 25 days paid holiday plus bank-holidays – we care about our team’s wellbeing, so we make sure you have time to fully switch off, rest, and recharge.
- Flexible working hours – We're not a 9-5. Our focus is on your ability to deliver for the business, not your ability to keep strict working hours.
- Mental health support - the company pays for Spill, a mental health wellness provider that gives everyone access to mental health resources, and qualified therapists for unlimited therapy sessions.
- Access to our Freebie Freezer so you can eat as much of THIS™ as you fancy.
The chance to have a meaningful impact
As a relatively small, albeit growing, team you'll be exposed to, and have the chance to contribute towards, challenges and adventurous projects at all levels and in all areas of the business. A good idea is a good idea, regardless of the experience or seniority of who came up with it.
We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to apply with your CV and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
