NPD Manager – £Generous – 884544

The Company

Join an award-winning food innovator and lead exciting new product launches while working with a brand-new, purpose-built test kitchen and managing your own skilled team in a fast-growing business that’s investing heavily in its future.

Overview:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a New Product Development (NPD) Manager to join a dynamic food manufacturer based in South Wales. The company has a strong track record of innovation with an ambitious pipeline of launches planned over the coming years, and is currently investing in state-of-the-art facilities to support future growth.

This role is ideal for a passionate foodie who enjoys working with ingredients and wants to be hands-on in developing both branded and own-label products from concept to launch.

Reporting directly to the Head of Commercial, you’ll lead the end-to-end NPD process and manage a small, skilled team including a Packaging Technologist and an NPD Process Technician. Working cross-functionally with Commercial, Technical, Operations, and Marketing teams, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering innovation that meets both customer and commercial needs.

Key Responsibilities:

– Lead and manage the full NPD lifecycle, from initial concept through to market launch

– Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and successful project delivery

– Oversee and support the development of direct reports in packaging and process development roles

– Partner with National Account Managers and Brand teams to translate market insights into winning products

– Conduct market trend and competitor analysis to drive innovation and identify opportunities

– Manage critical paths, resources, and budgets to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery

– Maximise use of the new test kitchen facility for creative development, trials, and presentations

– Support product trials, shelf-life testing, and internal/external product showcases

Requirements:

– Strong background in food NPD, ideally within dairy, spreads, or similar chilled categories

– Passion for food, ingredients, and innovation

– Proven experience managing the concept-to-launch process

– Skilled in leading and developing teams

– Excellent communication and project management skills

– Ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions and levels

Our Referral Incentive:

Due to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our roles unfortunately we cannot respond to each application individually, therefore if you do not hear back from us you have not been shortlisted for this role. Please continue to check our website for any other roles which may be of interest.

We offer a £500 referral if you introduce someone we place – see our website for details – www.rp-ltd.com

We regret that this client is not prepared to sponsor work permit or work permit transfer applications. Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK