Food Product Development Lead (NPD & Innovation)

drnewitt.vincere.io; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead a diverse NPD portfolio and translate consumer insight into commercially successful products from concept to factory launch. This hands-on, collaboration-driven role requires strong project leadership, commercial awareness and a genuine passion for food.

You will work closely with Customer Teams, Development Chefs, Process and Operations to shape the product agenda, manage timelines and costs, and ensure quality and regulatory

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Product Development or NPD role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Track record of taking food products from concept through to commercial launch.
• Strong project management with ability to handle multiple projects.
• Experience of product costing, budgeting and commercial evaluation.
• Understanding of ingredients, raw materials, packaging and supply chain considerations.
• Ability to work with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.
• Genuine passion for food, innovation, culinary trends and consumer behaviour.
• Relevant food industry qualifications or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage NPD and EPD projects from initial concept and customer brief through to successful product launch.
• Build strong relationships with key customers, becoming a trusted development partner and subject matter expert within your category.
• Drive innovation, bringing forward new ideas inspired by consumer insight, market trends, competitor activity and emerging food trends.
• Manage project critical paths, ensuring milestones, timelines, costs and deliverables are achieved.
• Work collaboratively with Process, Operations, Technical, Commercial and Culinary teams to ensure successful factory scale-up and product handover.
• Ensure all product development activity meets customer expectations, quality standards and relevant legislative requirements.
• Evaluate product feasibility, costing, ingredients, packaging and manufacturing processes to ensure commercial viability.
• Identify opportunities for product improvement, value creation and operational efficiency.
• Lead customer innovation sessions, product presentations and internal development workshops.
• Coach, develop and motivate your team, creating a culture of ownership, accountability and high performance.
• Drive continuous improvement and contribute to the wider product and innovation strategy.

Skills

Product Development

NPD

Project management

Costing & budgeting

Ingredient sourcing

Cross-functional teamwork

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Food industry knowledge

Culinary trends

Education

Food industry qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead a diverse NPD portfolio and translate consumer insight into commercially successful products from concept to factory launch. This hands-on, collaboration-driven role requires strong project leadership, commercial awareness and a genuine passion for food.

You will work closely with Customer Teams, Development Chefs, Process and Operations to shape the product agenda, manage timelines and costs, and ensure quality and regulatory