Are you an experienced NPD professional looking to take the next step in your career?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing business as an NPD Manager, where you'll take the lead on all new product development activity for a key retail account. You'll play a customer-facing role, managing fast-paced projects and launching approximately 35 products per year.

With one day working from home each week, this role offers flexibility, variety, and the chance to make a real impact. You'll be part of a dynamic team where there's genuine opportunity for career progression, making this the ideal move for someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

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You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Facilitate the generation and implementation of new and modified products on site through the critical path, involving all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure all NPD (New Product Development) and EPD (Existing Product Development) is presented and co-ordinated to retail and/or food service customers in a professional and efficient manner.
• Scale up product concepts from Development Chefs in the factory to ensure timely and accurate delivery to retail and food service customers
• Manage all factory trials in a professional and organised manner, involving all relevant stakeholders
• Conduct all NPD and EPD activities in line with company policies and procedures, meeting customer requirements, BRC standards, company objectives, and industry best practice.
• Co-own and co-approve all relevant information regarding specifications, procedures, and analysis for products approved for launch across departments.

• Maintain and store all information in a systematic, orderly, and retrievable manner.
• Build and develop strong, positive relationships with customers and their key personnel, in collaboration with commercial and technical teams
• Work closely with Development Chefs and the Commercial Team to ensure information is co-owned, co-approved, and aligned with the project brief.
• Collaborate with site departments to ensure food safety, quality, and legal compliance of all new and modified products.
• Maintain appropriate records of NPD activities to ensure audit compliance for both NPD and EPD.
• Proactively work within relevant food trends and innovation in collaboration with Development Chefs, Marketing Teams, and the Customer.
• Contribute to improvements in processes, machinery, and capabilities, including undertaking R&D projects where applicable.
• Uphold health, safety, and hygiene standards in accordance with company policies and regulations.
• Supervise direct reports within the NPD team (if applicable).
• Liaise and communicate with suppliers, third parties, and external providers of expertise.
• Liaise and communicate with all internal stakeholders to develop and deliver food-safe, legally compliant new and modified product lines.
• Liaise and communicate with customers to foster strong and positive working relationships with key personnel.

‍What's required?

• Proven experience in New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) within the food industry.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to co-ordinate critical paths and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and scale up concepts from development kitchen to full production.
• Experience of managing and executing factory trials in an organised and collaborative manner.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, quality, and legality standards, including BRC or equivalent accreditation.
• Strong understanding of customer requirements within retail and/or food service sectors.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, both internally and externally.
• Competence in maintaining clear, accurate, and audit-compliant records.
• Ability to work proactively with cross-functional teams including Commercial, Technical, Operations, and Marketing.
• Understanding of food trends, innovation, and consumer expectations.
• Experience with R&D projects, process improvements, and new technology or machinery integration is desirable.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of specification systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge and commitment to maintaining high standards of health, safety, and hygiene.

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‍What's in it for you?

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£50,000.00 - £57,000.00 per annum

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‍Do you think you fit the criteria?

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‍Want to find out more about the role?

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(ID 165)

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