New Product Development Manager

H&R ChemPharm (UK) Limited; Tipton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemical manufacturing company in the UK seeks a New Product Development Manager to lead the innovation pipeline and develop sustainable products. This role involves collaborating with various business units and external partners to drive product strategy. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in a physical science and experience in managing product development projects. Strong interpersonal skills and commercial awareness are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing an innovation pipeline.
• Hands-on approach to development projects.
• Experience working with external partners such as universities and suppliers.
• Strong time management and commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new, innovative products.
• Collaborate with Business Managers to develop product strategies.
• Manage product development from concept to production trials.
• Enhance team performance through recruitment and training.

Skills

Creative thinking

Stakeholder management

Formulation management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a physical science

Tools

Proficiency in Excel

Job description

JOB TITLE:

New Product Development Manager

REPORTS TO:

Sales & Marketing Manager

DEPARTMENT:

Technical

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Product Development Chemists (shared responsibility)

JOB PURPOSE:

· Highly creative, responsible for the development of new, innovative, commercially viable, and sustainable products to support the long-term business development strategy.

· Lead the innovation pipeline through creative thinking, customer requests, external partnerships, joint ventures, or university research.

· Support business development by analyzing current trends and converting opportunities into commercial prospects through customer interaction, understanding their applications, and providing solutions.

· Manage relationships with commercial stakeholders across the wider business.

KEY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product Development

· Collaborate with Business Managers and the Sales & Marketing Manager to develop the product development strategy.

· Coordinate with central R&D and global R&D teams.

· Develop long-term innovation plans aligned with business growth.

· Build strong technical relationships with potential customers and suppliers.

· Support technical demands from customers and work with them to meet their requirements.

· Accompany Sales & Marketing Managers on customer visits to provide technical information and discuss project performance.

· Assist the Sales team with technical data for new products.

· Develop new products to access new markets.

· Balance application performance with product cost effectively.

· Prepare for and attend customer trials and meetings.

· Review documents supporting sales, manufacturing, and quality activities.

· Test new products to understand market response.

· Evaluate raw materials to support development and innovation.

· Develop test methods for products to transfer to the quality team.

· Manage product development from concept through to scale-up and production trials.

Team Leadership

· Share leadership of the Product Development team, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

· Enhance team performance through recruitment, training, appraisals, and personal development.

· Promote productive engagement across business functions and sites.

· Perform additional tasks as required by the company.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree in a physical science (e.g., chemistry, materials science, polymer science, physics, chemical engineering).

· Proven experience in developing and delivering an innovation pipeline.

· Hands-on approach to development projects.

· Experience working with external partners such as trade associations, universities, and suppliers.

· Knowledge of relevant markets and trends.

· Understanding of production processes relevant to the business.

· Formulation management skills.

· Ability to present product benefits effectively to customers.

· Experience in customer-facing roles and stakeholder management.

· Knowledge of raw materials and formulations.

· High literacy and numeracy skills, including proficiency in Excel.

· Strong time management, interpersonal skills, and commercial awareness.

· Curious, inquisitive, and able to build good working relationships.

KEY COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Uphold the company’s core values: Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

· Operate within the company’s Limits of Authority.

· Engage in continuous improvement initiatives.

· Maintain high standards of housekeeping and safety.

· Follow health, safety, quality, environmental, and PPE policies, recognizing personal and collective responsibilities.