Are you an experienced Senior NPD professional looking to combine scientific product development with strategic leadership within a global brand?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a market-leading business, leading the delivery of innovative food and beverage projects across international markets. Based in London, you'll manage a team of two while working closely with commercial and R&D stakeholders to deliver technically robust, consumer-led innovation. The role offers exposure to global projects, future technologies, and the opportunity to influence long-term innovation strategy within a highly collaborative environment.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Leading scientific product development projects from concept through to launch across multiple markets and categories
• Managing technical responses to commercial briefs and translating these into robust development programmes
• Driving innovation initiatives and supporting the development of future technologies and scalable platforms
• Planning and delivering bench development, pilot plant activities, and factory trials
• Identifying technical challenges, assessing risks, and implementing effective solutions
• Managing project plans, timelines, trial budgets, and resource requirements to ensure successful delivery
• Collaborating with commercial, operations, engineering, and external partners to overcome technical hurdles
• Ensuring all technical documentation, specifications, and stage-gate requirements are completed accurately and on time
• Supporting wider innovation strategies through proactive NPD and concept development
• Maintaining high standards of GMP, hygiene, and continuous improvement across development activities
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of two while acting as a technical role model for the wider business
• Providing technical ownership across multiple brands and projects while ensuring successful handover into commercial production

What's required?

• Proven experience within a Senior NPD, R&D, or Product Development role within food or beverage manufacturing
• Strong scientific understanding of product development and process technologies
• Experience managing complex concept-to-launch programmes and technical project plans
• Knowledge of process and chemical engineering principles would be advantageous
• Experience leading pilot plant and factory trials
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Previous people management experience with the ability to develop and mentor others
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• A proactive, self-starting approach with a strong drive for results
• Ability to balance consumer, customer, and commercial requirements to deliver successful innovation

What's in it for you?

A fantastic opportunity to join a globally recognised brand, leading exciting food and beverage innovation projects while managing a small team and helping shape the future direction of product development.

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

ID 259