Are you an NPD professional looking for a varied role where you can work across multiple retail and foodservice accounts and take products from concept through to launch?

This is an exciting opportunity for an NPD Executive to join a growing food business, working across a varied portfolio of chilled, frozen and ambient products. Based in Dublin, you’ll work closely with co-packers and manufacturing partners, as well as Technical, Purchasing and Sales teams, to develop new and optimise existing products for customers across retail and foodservice.

You’ll have exposure to the full product development lifecycle, from interpreting customer briefs and developing concepts through to trials, scale-up and commercialisation. With multiple projects and customer accounts to manage, this role would suit someone who is organised, commercially aware and confident working collaboratively with both internal teams and external manufacturing partners.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Developing and refining new product concepts in line with customer briefs, market trends and category opportunities.
• Managing NPD projects from initial concept through to trials, scale-up and successful launch.
• Working closely with co-packers and manufacturing partners to assess capabilities, manufacturing feasibility and potential risks.
• Evaluating development samples, production trials and first production runs against specifications and customer expectations.
• Interpreting and challenging customer briefs, translating them into clear and achievable development projects.
• Working cross-functionally with Technical, Purchasing and Sales teams throughout the development process.
• Ensuring new and existing products meet relevant food safety, quality, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Supporting the approval of new ingredients and suppliers alongside Procurement and Technical.
• Maintaining accurate formulations, specifications and development documentation.
• Identifying opportunities to improve existing products through reformulation, quality improvements, cost optimisation and process efficiencies.
• Conducting competitor benchmarking, sensory assessments and market trend analysis to support future innovation.
• Reviewing product artwork against relevant labelling requirements.
• Supporting multiple retail and foodservice accounts while keeping projects on track against agreed timelines.

What’s required?

• Around 2–4 years’ experience within NPD, Technical or R&D in the food industry.
• Previous experience taking food products through the development lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Experience working with co-packers, external manufacturers or supply partners would be beneficial.
• Retailer-facing experience and confidence working across multiple customer accounts.
• A good understanding of food science, ingredient functionality and food manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of food legislation, labelling, food safety systems and retailer requirements.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage several development projects simultaneously.
• A confident communicator who can build relationships with customers, suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• A relevant degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition or a related discipline would be advantageous.

What’s in it for you?

A varied NPD role offering exposure across multiple retail and foodservice accounts, with the opportunity to work closely with international manufacturing partners and develop products across a broad range of food categories. You’ll gain hands-on involvement throughout the full development process while building your technical, commercial and customer-facing experience within a growing NPD team.

Do you think you fit the criteria?
Want to find out more about the role?

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