New Product Development Manager

Advocate Group; Accrington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food manufacturer in Accrington is seeking a New Product Development Manager to oversee product development from concept to launch. This role requires someone experienced in food NPD, with strong project management skills and the ability to work independently. The successful candidate will lead NPD meetings, manage timelines, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure successful product launches. Competitive compensation and opportunities for innovation await you in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in food NPD, ideally within chilled/frozen manufacturing.
• Confident working independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent documentation and organisation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of NPD and EPD projects.
• Chair weekly NPD meetings and manage project timelines.
• Develop kitchen concepts based on trend insights.

Skills

Experience in food NPD

Strong project management

Cross-functional communication

Hands-on mindset

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Excellent documentation abilities

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

New Product Development Manager

Do you want to lead exciting food innovation projects for one of the UK’s most recognisable names in the chilled and frozen food manufacturing space?

We’re hiring an NPD Manager to oversee end-to-end product development, bringing both new and improved products to market. This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive and commercially minded food professional to shape product strategy within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

About the Company

Our client is a long-established UK food manufacturer, known for its heritage, trusted quality, and presence across major supermarkets. With deep roots in the Northwest, the business has a loyal consumer base and a strong commitment to innovation within the savoury chilled and frozen food categories.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Commercial, you’ll own the full NPD/EPD process, from kitchen concept and factory trials through to product launch. You’ll work cross-functionally with Technical, Engineering, Category, and Operations, managing timelines, documentation, packaging, and internal approvals.

This is a brilliant role for someone who enjoys working independently, thrives in a practical environment, and wants to deliver tangible results across branded and own-label portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of NPD and EPD projects
• Chair weekly NPD meetings and manage project timelines
• Develop and trial kitchen concepts based on trend insights and customer briefs
• Manage costings, packaging approvals, and reheating/cooking validations
• Collaborate with Technical on specs, QUID, HACCP and documentation
• Coordinate internal tasting sessions and benchmarking
• Support Capex project delivery with Engineering, where applicable
• Ensure all internal systems and stakeholders are aligned pre-launch

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in food NPD, ideally within chilled/frozen manufacturing.
• Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills
• Confident working independently with minimal supervision
• Hands-on mindset with attention to detail and commercial awareness
• Excellent documentation and organisation capabilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; MS Project experience is a plus
• Experience with both own-label and branded ranges welcome

Interested? Apply below or email your CV to: [e-mail]

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

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