Product Development Manager - Snacks

About Orkla Confectionery & Snacks

Orkla Confectionery & Snacks (OCS) is a dominant snack company located in the Nordics and Baltics, operating across seven markets with a proud annual turnover of around 7.5 billion NOK. Our company comprises over 3,000 dedicated people, bound by a passion for nurturing our portfolio of cherished brands like KiMs, Nidar, Stratos, Sætre, Göteborgs Kex, OLW, Panda, Laima, Selga, Taffel, Kalev, Nói Síríus, and many more. At our core, we are more than just snacks; in OCS we are creating moments of happiness, powered by a network of 13 specialized factories with a commitment to excellence and sustainability. OCS is an Orkla ASA portfolio company (PortCo).

As an independent PortCo with its own board and management structure, OCS is evolving. Our future organization will focus on three categories: Confectionery, Snacks, and Biscuits. This structure aims to enhance cost efficiency, harmonization, and investment in our brands, factories, and expertise.

About the Role

As the Product Development Manager for Snacks across Denmark, Finland, and international markets, you will oversee product development activities across multiple countries. This involves managing innovation and renovation projects and leading a team responsible for the production of snacks such as potato chips, extruded snacks, nuts and pellet-based shapes. Reporting to the R&D Director Snacks, this position entails regular travel and close cross-country collaboration. The role can be based in Odense, Copenhagen, Malmö, Helsinki or Riga.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive product development for snacks across Denmark, Finland, and the Baltics, including innovation, renovation, and harmonization projects.
• Allocate resources and manage the budget for development activities, production trials, and sensory testing.
• Lead the snacks product development team across the regions, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Maintain product quality, safety, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Own product specifications and validate attributes through consumer and factory testing.
• Act as a technology expert in snack production, with specific focus areas in pellet shapes nuts and third-party production.
• Work closely with Marketing, Commercial, and Supply Chain functions to achieve business goals and adapt to market trends.
• Contribute to cross-functional R&D collaboration, supporting best practices across markets.

Who Are You?

You are an experienced leader, preferably with a deep understanding of the snack industry and a commitment to innovation and quality. You thrive in an international, cross-functional setting and bring an innate ability to drive results and foster collaboration across regions. Skilled at relationship-building, you know how to get others on board and can manage change effectively, inspiring your team to embrace new approaches and deliver impactful results. Your leadership style balances empathy and direction, making you a trusted and motivating presence within your team.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Product Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in R&D within the snacks industry, preferably in an international context.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams across multiple regions.
• Good communication and presentation skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate different stakeholders.
• Thorough understanding of food science and technology.
• Fluent in English, with additional proficiency in a Nordic language preferred