Are you an ambitious NPD professional looking to take ownership of exciting health-focused retail projects?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-paced and collaborative business, developing innovative products for leading retailers across a portfolio of health-related brands. Based in Manchester, you'll work closely with development chefs, process, technical and commercial teams, taking products from concept through to launch. This role would suit someone with 1-2 years of NPD experience who enjoys customer interaction and is passionate about delivering exceptional products.

You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Managing multiple NPD projects from concept through to launch, ensuring delivery against customer and business objectives
• Championing food quality, taste, and eating experience across all developments
• Driving projects through the stage-gate process, identifying risks and ensuring successful delivery
• Translating customer briefs into commercially viable, factory-ready products
• Balancing quality, cost, margin, and scalability to achieve the best outcome for the business
• Supporting customer interactions, presentations, and sample submissions to ensure expectations are met
• Working closely with development chefs to maintain product quality throughout scale-up and launch
• Leading cross-functional collaboration with technical, process, operations, procurement, and commercial teams
• Supporting the process team through critical path management and launch activities
• Benchmarking products and monitoring market trends to maintain a competitive edge
• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team, helping to build capability across the function
• Identifying opportunities to improve ways of working and contributing to a high-performing NPD culture
• Ensuring successful right-first-time launches and maintaining high standards across all projects

What's required?

• 1-2 years' experience within NPD or product development in food manufacturing
• Experience delivering projects from concept through to launch
• A strong understanding of ingredients, product functionality, and development processes
• Experience working cross-functionally with technical, process, operations, and commercial teams
• Exposure to customer-facing development and retailer expectations
• Strong project management and prioritisation skills
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of product costings and margin targets
• Knowledge of factory processes and manufacturing constraints
• A proactive and solution-focused approach with strong problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• A passion for food, innovation, and continuous improvement
• A degree in Food Science or a related discipline would be advantageous

What's in it for you?

An exciting opportunity to work on health-focused products for leading retailers, with plenty of customer exposure and the chance to play a key role in delivering innovative products from concept through to launch.

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

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