Company overview
En Route International operates globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers. With offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE. En Route supplies premium baked goods, meals and snacks to the travel industry. We focus on partnering with world-class manufacturers customising products and packaging to suit individual customer needs while managing a complex supply chain with the highest levels of precision.
Job purpose
The Product Portfolio Manager will play a pivotal role in bridging client catering strategies into the business, connecting the client specific needs identified as part of the account plan with the Heads of Category Development and guiding the development of innovative catering solutions that align with client needs and preferences. This role requires a deep understanding of the catering industry, airline operations and food strategy, exceptional client relationship management skills, and a clear focus on new product development (NPD) and innovation-based revenue generation activity.
Key responsibilities
1. External - Client Collaboration:
- Build and nurture strong relationships with account key stakeholders to understand their catering needs, preferences, and strategic objectives.
- Collaborate closely with the Account Catering team to determine how En Route capabilities can align with their business goals in all markets.
2. Internal - Team collaboration:
- Become a core member of the Client’s account management team working closely with the En Route Account Director/Manager to deliver the agreed strategic and tactical product and service development initiatives that ultimately deliver the revenue and profitability growth targets within the account plan – across all regions.
- Build and nurture strong and effective relationships with the Food Development, Technical, Procurement and Supply Chain teams in each market.
- Collaborate closely with HoCDs, FDM, and Account Managers to optimise the ER product development pipeline in sync with the clients expectations.
- Bring clarity to the development of client-tailored catering solutions as an integral part of En Route product portfolios.
- Drive the organisation of client presentations in close collaboration with Food Development colleagues, Sales, and Marketing teams.
3. Strategic Development:
- Translate client catering strategies into continuous actionable NPD initiatives.
- Support the development and organisation of the Client/ER product development.
4. New Product Development:
- Provide clients with insights on food and service trends, as well as emerging technologies in catering.
- Conduct market research to identify trends, assess competitive offerings, and ensure that the company remains at the forefront of the catering industry.
- Ideate, conceptualise, and develop new catering products and services.
- Coordinate the project development pipeline management process for catering solution development, ensuring timely delivery and meeting quality standards
5. Project Management:
- Collaborate with internal teams, including Marketing, Operations, and Food Development, to bring catering solutions to market
6. PR & Marketing:
- Provide support for specific marketing events representing En Route
Business administration and other activities
- Organise client presentations and other relevant events
- Project management
- Support operations with customer and supplier activities as required
- Travel domestically and internationally as required; up to 50% travel
Experience
- Ideally you will have an airline or airline catering background
- High level culinary skills/know-how and/or food product development
- Understanding of specification, design and details of food products and packaging
- Strong track record of analysing and interpreting data to drive business performance
- Strong background in customer facing /supplier facing capacity
- Creative and self-motivated with a passion for food
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence at all levels
- The ability to manage your own time effectively
- The ability to build strong customer relationships
Specific aptitudes / skills / other
- Ability to make decisions under pressure and adapt to a fast-paced working environment
- Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects with competing priorities
- Ability to meet provided deadlines and set target deadlines
- Ability to influence and present clearly and effectively to all levels
