New Product Development Manager

Ignite; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth FMCG brand in Essex is seeking an NPD Project Manager to oversee the full NPD and technical pipeline. This role involves leading recipe optimization, managing specifications, and ensuring technical compliance with regulations. Candidates should have a strong technical background in food or beverage and experience in project management. If passionate about product development and innovation in a fast-paced environment, this is an exciting opportunity.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in food or beverage.
• Experience in NPD, technical development or project management.
• Excellent project management capability with multitasking.
• Strong understanding of food regulations and labelling.
• Experience with co-manufacturers and cross-functional teams.
• Highly organised and solutions-focused.

Responsibilities

• Leading recipe development and optimisation.
• Owning technical compliance across UK/EU legislation.
• Managing product specifications and full documentation.
• Validating packaging artwork and ingredient lists.
• Developing a long-term Technical Innovation Roadmap.
• Coordinating factory trials and first productions.
• Overseeing quality processes including batch testing.
• Improving NPD processes as the business scales.

Skills

Strong technical background in food or beverage

Experience in NPD or technical project management

Excellent project management capability

Strong understanding of food regulations

Experience with co-manufacturers

Highly organised and solutions-focused

Job description

Tiptree, Essex – 2 days in the office, 3 from home

Ignite are thrilled to partner with a high‑growth FMCG brand on the search for a NPD Project Manager. This business is scaling quickly, expanding its product portfolio, and investing heavily in innovation. They're now looking for a technical expert to own the full NPD and technical pipeline, ensuring all new products land with excellence, compliance and quality at the core.

This role sits at the heart of the organisation, working cross‑functionally with Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Commercial and external co‑manufacturers to bring new concepts to life.

You’ll be responsible for technical integrity, regulatory compliance, spec management, and delivering projects on time and to the highest quality.

If you're passionate about product development, love solving complex technical challenges, and thrive in a fast‑paced FMCG environment, this is an exciting opportunity to truly make an impact.

What will you be doing?

• Leading recipe development and optimisation, ensuring robust technical standards
• Owning technical compliance across UK/EU legislation and anticipating regulatory change
• Managing product specifications, formulations and full technical documentation
• Validating packaging artwork, ingredient lists, nutritional data and all claims
• Developing a long‑term Technical Innovation Roadmap and exploring emerging processing technologies
• Assessing “clean label” ingredient alternatives and next‑gen formulation opportunities
• Acting as technical lead with co‑manufacturers, coordinating factory trials, feasibility work & first productions
• Overseeing quality processes including batch testing, traceability, shelf‑life verification and sensory work
• Improving NPD processes as the business continues to scale

What skills do you need?

• Strong technical background in food or beverage
• Experience in NPD, technical development or technical project management
• Excellent project management capability with the ability to run multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong understanding of food regulations and labelling requirements
• Experience working with co‑manufacturers and cross‑functional teams
• Highly organised, collaborative and solutions‑focused