Innovation Manager (FOOD)

JR United Kingdom; Bath; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food business is seeking a creative and commercially minded Innovation Manager for their product team. You will lead NPD projects to develop market-leading products, utilizing market insights and consumer trends. This role offers a collaborative environment where your expertise will significantly impact the product portfolio.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing and NPD management.
• Deep knowledge of ingredients and recipe formulation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at pace.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple NPD projects, ensuring alignment with commercial goals.
• Create and evolve products balancing creativity and technical feasibility.
• Build compelling customer presentations and source innovative raw materials.

Skills

Creativity

Food Innovation

Project Management

Presentation Skills

Ingredient Knowledge

Job description

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This award-winning food business is known for its high-quality, insight-led product innovation across multiple categories and is looking for a creative and commercially minded Innovation Manager to join a large product team and help drive the development of market-leading products.

This is a site-based role with some travel to other manufacturing sites and customers, so a full UK driving licence is essential.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Innovation Manager, you will be at the forefront of concept development, from kitchen to customer approval. This hands-on, foodie role involves creating and evolving products that balance creativity with technical feasibility, using market insights, consumer trends, and your passion for food innovation.

You will lead multiple NPD projects across their brands, ensuring alignment with commercial goals and customer expectations. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will keep critical paths on track and deliver solutions efficiently. Your responsibilities include building compelling customer presentations, sourcing innovative raw materials, and supporting trend safaris to keep the business ahead of the curve.

The Candidate

You should be a creative and foodie Senior Product Developer or NPD Manager with a strong track record in food manufacturing, particularly in bringing concepts to shelf. Deep knowledge of ingredients and recipe formulation, combined with creative flair and meticulous development skills, is essential. You must be confident managing multiple projects at pace, presenting ideas to customers, and influencing internal teams. Some people management experience is preferred.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to shape a growing product portfolio within a values-led food business. You will work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your ideas and expertise can make a real difference.

Apply now or call us on 0345 2600 737 / 07700 137 110 to find out more.

Ref: L6864