Food & Beverage Product Development Manager (EMEA)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced professional with a strong background in food and beverage product development—ideally within a licensing environment—and a keen understanding of brand partnerships. This role is an exciting opportunity to shape innovative F&B products in collaboration with some of the world’s most recognizable brands.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the EMEA Product Development & Creative (PDC) team, driving all aspects of food and beverage product development across local markets within the Consumer Products (CP) business.

• Collaborate closely with the Brand Partnerships team on cross-functional F&B initiatives.

• Oversee freelancers and external agencies in the creation of visual tools such as mood boards, product mock-ups, and concept presentations to support product storytelling and creative direction across all age ranges—from Infant to Adult.

• Partner with licensees to foster innovation and provide feedback throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring alignment with brand vision, design standards, and product quality.

• Manage product approvals efficiently through the internal approval system to ensure timely delivery and compliance.

• Build strong cross-functional relationships with Licensing, Market Strategy & Development (MSD), and Retail Marketing teams to support the broader brand objectives.

• Coordinate with key stakeholders—including Content, Brand Partnerships, Business & Legal Affairs (BLA), Creative Marketing, and Regional Marketing—to amplify the impact of strategic initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in creative direction for food and beverage product development, ideally within entertainment licensing, brand partnerships, or retail.

• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in product development, with a passion for storytelling and delivering joyful consumer experiences.

• In-depth knowledge of F&B trends and new product development (NPD), with the ability to translate insights into commercially viable and brand-aligned products.

• Solid understanding of the European retail landscape and competitive brand positioning.

• Strong communication skills to effectively manage agency relationships and creative project workflows.

• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.

• Multilingual skills are a plus.

• Prior experience in the EMEA region required.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is essential.