Head of Innovation

VickerStock; Northern Ireland; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer is seeking a Head of Innovation to lead their Innovation Department, manage the NPD and NPI processes, and drive successful product launches. The ideal candidate will have experience in food manufacturing, particularly in bakery, and possess strong leadership and project management skills. This senior role offers competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading NPD/NPI within food manufacturing.
• Strong technical understanding of food/bakery processes.
• Commercially minded with practical balance of creativity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the Innovation Department.
• Own the NPD pipeline aligned with commercial strategy.
• Deliver successful NPI launches with high success rates.

Skills

INNOVATION

NPD

R&D

BRC

FOOD

Job description

Overview

Vickerstock are delighted to be working in partnership with our food manufacturing client who has a proud reputation for quality, creativity and reliability.

They are seeking an ambitious and commercially astute Head of Innovation to join the Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal role will lead the Innovation Department, taking ownership of the full New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) process, from concept through to launch.

The successful candidate will oversee the Innovation Kitchen, manage scale-up and feasibility trials, and ensure product launches are delivered on time, in spec, and positioned for commercial success. Working closely with Commercial Sales, Production, and Technical teams, you will combine creativity with operational excellence to deliver market-leading results.

What’s in it for you?

• Opportunity to shape the strategic innovation agenda of a fast-growing, values-led bakery.
• Senior Leadership role with a direct impact on company growth and culture.
• Work in a supportive family business environment that celebrates creativity and ambition.
• Competitive salary and professional development opportunities.

What your day to day will look like

• Lead and inspire the Innovation Department.
• Own the NPD pipeline and align innovation with the wider commercial strategy.
• Deliver successful NPI launches with high first-run success rates.
• Champion process optimisation and oversee scale-up/feasibility trials.
• Manage projects from concept through to launch, ensuring timelines, budgets, and milestones are achieved.
• Drive strong cross-functional collaboration across Commercial, Production, and Technical teams.
• Introduce and embed digital and lean processes to improve efficiency, speed, and consistency.
• Build team capability, coaching and developing future innovation leader

What you will need to succeed

• Proven experience leading NPD/NPI within food manufacturing (bakery experience highly desirable).
• Strong technical understanding of food/bakery processes, scaling, and production.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance creativity with practicality.
• Demonstrable track record of successful product launches with major retailers and/or foodservice operators.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and deliver at pace.
• Strong leadership credentials, with a passion for developing people and driving cultural change.
• Excellent communicator with strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

What you will need to do next

Sound like the career move you've been after and would like to hear more, pick up the phone to Anna now on T , or send an updated CV - in Word format - via the link on the page (or email).

If this opportunity doesn't quite get the taste buds flowing but like me you are passionate about food, let's get a chat and see how I can help grow your career.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A FULL LIST OF OUR CURRENT VACANCIES.

Skills

INNOVATION NPD R&D BRC FOOD