NPD Manager

Novus Recruitment Ltd; New Brunswick; Hybrid; CAD 119,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Novus Recruitment Limited is seeking an NPD Manager for a food manufacturing business. The role covers the full product development lifecycle, from concept through to launch, with strong cross-functional collaboration across commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams.

You’ll have genuine autonomy and influence over product direction, with an experienced team and the potential to progress from senior development roles. Site-based with one day remote per week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in NPD within food manufacturing.
• Experience leading projects from concept to launch.
• Strong project management and critical path skills.
• Ability to collaborate with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain.
• Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Drive projects through the stage-gate process, delivering on timescales.
• Maintain critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
• Collaborate with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams.
• Coordinate product trials, validations and launch activities.
• Support continuous improvement across product development.
• Mentor and support development team members.
• Ensure customer expectations and quality standards are met.

Skills

NPD management

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional

Launch planning

Team mentoring

Food product development

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Job description

NPD Manager

Food Industry

£70k plus package

We’re partnering with an ambitious food manufacturing business who have an opportunity for an NPD Manager to join them who will work closely with the senior team and customers as they evolve,

This role offers the chance to manage projects across the full product development lifecycle, from concept creation through to launch, working closely with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams to deliver innovative products to market.

You’ll be given genuine autonomy, the opportunity to influence product direction and the support of an experienced and collaborative team. This position would suit either an established NPD Manager or a Senior Development Technologist looking to take the next step into a broader management role.

This is a predominantly site-based position with the flexibility to work from home one day per week.

About the Business

Our client is a successful and well-established food manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer partnership.

The business continues to invest in product development and operational excellence, creating an environment where individuals can make a genuine impact while developing their career.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Drive projects through the stage-gate process, ensuring delivery against agreed timescales.
• Manage and maintain critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
• Collaborate closely with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams.
• Coordinate product trials, validations and launch activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the product development process.
• Mentor and support members of the development team where required.
• Ensure customer expectations, quality standards and commercial objectives are met throughout the development cycle.

Ideal background

• Experience within food product development or NPD.
• Proven experience managing projects from concept through to launch.
• Strong critical path and project management capability.
• Experience working within a food manufacturing environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Passion for food, innovation and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to join a business who reward and encourage autonomy and ambition. They have a supportive and collaborative culture, and the customer base and upcoming projects will be of real interest to a product development specialist.