Are you an experienced NPD professional available for your next opportunity and looking to add a leading food brand to your profile?

This is a fantastic 12-month opportunity for a Senior NPD Manager to join a major food business, taking ownership of innovative product development projects from concept through to launch. Working three days per week on site in Berkshire, you’ll combine hands-on product development with technical project management and team leadership, working cross-functionally to turn commercial briefs into successful products.

The role offers exposure to an ambitious innovation pipeline, including developing new concepts, overcoming technical challenges, managing trials and supporting products through the development process. You’ll also lead and mentor members of the team, helping to develop their technical capability while ensuring projects are delivered against quality, cost and timing requirements.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Leading NPD projects from early-stage concept and prototyping through to factory trials and successful launch.
• Translating commercial briefs into technically viable product development programmes.
• Developing innovative product concepts aligned with consumer, customer and commercial requirements.
• Taking technical ownership of multiple products and projects.
• Planning and delivering bench samples, pilot plant trials and factory trials.
• Identifying technical challenges, assessing project risks and developing appropriate solutions.
• Managing project plans, critical timelines and development budgets.
• Working closely with Marketing, Commercial, Operations and other cross-functional teams throughout the development process.
• Ensuring relevant technical documentation, specifications and stage-gate requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Supporting the effective handover of products from development through to launch.
• Managing, mentoring and developing members of the NPD team.
• Supporting resource planning and ensuring development priorities are effectively managed.
• Driving continuous improvement and contributing to the wider innovation strategy.

What’s required?

• Strong experience within NPD or Product Development in the food industry.
• Previous experience managing products through the full development process from concept to launch.
• Strong technical product development knowledge with hands-on experience of bench, pilot and factory trials.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing members of an NPD team.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously.
• A good understanding of food manufacturing processes and scale-up.
• The ability to translate commercial briefs into technically achievable products.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to overcome technical challenges during development.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, results-focused approach and the ability to take ownership of projects.

What’s in it for you?

A salary of £55,000, hybrid working with three days per week on site, and the opportunity to spend 12 months working with a highly recognised food brand. It’s a great opportunity for someone currently available who wants to strengthen their profile, gain exposure to high-level innovation projects and take ownership across the full concept-to-launch process. There is also potential for the position to become permanent following the initial 12-month FTC.

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

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