Are you an experienced NPD leader ready to step into a newly created role with real influence over strategy, customers, and teams?

This is a senior, customer-facing position in a fast-paced environment, taking day-to-day ownership of the NPD function and acting as the natural number two to the Head of Innovation. You’ll lead complex, multi-site development activity, shape long-term innovation strategy, and work closely with major retail customers while developing and empowering a high-performing NPD team.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Setting and delivering a multi-year NPD strategy aligned to customer and growth objectives
• Acting as the senior escalation point for customer relationships, leading high-level meetings and innovation discussions
• Translating customer briefs, market insight, and competitor activity into clear development priorities
• Owning end-to-end delivery of NPD and EPD projects from concept through to launch
• Overseeing workload planning, prioritisation, and resourcing across the NPD function
• Driving strong cross-site collaboration, consistency, and best practice sharing
• Leading, mentoring, and developing the NPD team with clear succession planning
• Embedding a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Ensuring robust governance, risk management, and compliance throughout the NPD lifecycle
• Monitoring KPIs relating to speed to market, cost control, and delivery performance
• Managing departmental budgets, reporting, and cost optimisation
• Overseeing accurate documentation, specifications, and product costings
• Leading post-launch reviews and embedding learnings into future strategy
• Working cross-functionally with technical, operations, supply chain, and commercial teams to ensure successful launches

What’s required?

• Proven experience setting and delivering NPD strategy across multiple sites and customers
• Strong background leading NPD for major UK retailers in a food manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex project portfolios with commercial accountability
• Experience acting as a senior customer-facing lead, influencing priorities and decisions
• Confident decision-maker able to balance risk, compliance, and commercial timelines
• Track record of building, mentoring, and leading high-performing teams
• Strong stakeholder management skills across technical, operational, and commercial functions
• Deep understanding of NPD processes, food manufacturing, and market dynamics
• Highly organised, resilient, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent senior-level industry experience

Desirable:
• Experience within high-risk food categories
• Exposure to packaging-led innovation and launch process design
• Experience with both own-label and branded development
• Involvement in digital transformation or process redesign initiatives

What’s in it for you?

A senior, high-impact NPD leadership role with genuine strategic ownership, strong customer exposure, and the opportunity to shape how innovation is delivered across the business.

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

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