Junior Product Developer

at  Odysea

WHO WE ARE…

At Odysea, we believe that slow food is the necessary antidote to the restlessness of modern life. It brings us together, feeds conversation, creates new traditions, new rituals, and new stories. For us, life revolves around the kitchen table in Greece, and we want everything we create to reflect that. It’s simple: we only sell food that we would happily share with our own family.
For more than 30 years Odysea has worked with specialist suppliers to bring the finest Greek and Mediterranean products to the UK. Every product we supply has a story or something special about it: when a producer serenades their goats with classical music or painstakingly transports their beehives by boat, you can really taste their passion and dedication in the end product – and that’s the real secret ingredient.
We are an entrepreneurial and dedicated team who values our family culture, and who takes personal accountability for our customers’ and suppliers’ satisfaction. Our teams operate in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, highly pressurised environment, where individuals are expected to deliver against tight deadlines. We want people who are passionate, energetic, innovative and flexible to operate in our dynamic environment.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR…

We’re looking for a Junior Product Developer to join our growing team. This individual will have a passion for food, our products and our ethos. They will need to have some project management experience and be a highly motivated team player and communicator. They will be uncompromising on quality and will thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment with a good ability to prioritise deadlines and build effective relationships.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar role (either development or project management or both)

IDEAL BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

• Food knowledge and expertise – a ‘foodie’, someone who knows what good quality looks, tastes, and smells like.
• Organoleptic training
• Mediterranean product knowledge – olives, olive oil, feta cheese, yoghurt and honey.
• Project management principles – resourceful, problem solver, upfront thinking, and risk management.
• Familiarity with UK-Retailer policies and guidelines.
• Good to have but not essential: Packaging, Nutrition, Shelf Life, Allergen management, Food Safety, Quality Management, Statistical Sampling, Food Legislation, EU and UK legislation familiarity. Experience with Ethical Trading Principles, Sustainability, Health & Safety at Work, Sedex.

SKILLS

• Advanced Project Management Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Strong Communication skills
• Quality Focused
• Cross-functional Collaboration

THE ROLE…

The Junior Product Developer will have some experience in a product development role within an FMCG, with experience of developing and building relationships, and managing projects working closely with both internal and external stakeholders. They will need to have good attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be a passionate ‘foodie’.
Because of the fast-paced, dynamic environment, we use our people’s time to execute key activities add value, and we do not micromanage. We need someone who is comfortable with giving and receiving feedback so that they can address any issues immediately and be able to keep a calm head to solve problems effectively.
Based in Leyton, London (UK) and working from the office, this role will report into the Lead Product Developer