New Product Development Manager - EMEA

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wingstop Restaurants Inc. is expanding its EMEA team and seeking an experienced New Product Development & SC (NPD) Manager to drive the development and supply-chain delivery of new menu items across the region.

The role sits within the Supply Chain team and connects Marketing, Operations, Development, Quality, Procurement, and Global Innovation with supplier partners. You will own the end-to-end NPD pipeline, lead critical paths, and help build a robust innovation plan for multiple markets while

Qualifications

• Experience leading New Product Development & supply chain initiatives across multiple markets.
• Ability to manage end-to-end NPD, from concept to launch and commercialization.
• Proven experience with category management of food, packaging and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NPD process from concept to commercialization.
• Manage supplier negotiations, contracts and performance across EMEA.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams in Marketing, Operations, Development and Quality.

Skills

NPD management

Supply chain

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Sourcing & procurement

Regulatory compliance

Job description

WHO WE ARE

We're not in the wing business. We're in the flavor business. It's been our mission to Serve the World Flavor since we first opened in 1994, and we're just getting started. 1997 saw the opening of our first brand partner operated Wingstop location, and by 2002 we had served the world one billion wings. It's flavor that defines us and has made Wingstop one of the fastest growing brands in the restaurant industry. Above all else - our success is largely due to our people and our core values, or what we call The Wingstop Way of being entrepreneurial, service-minded, fun, and authentic. We believe having a strong people foundation centered on these collective values creates a crave-worthy culture and talented team, as well as ensures our brand is poised for accelerated growth. We all win together.

WHAT WE'LL NEED

At Wingstop, flavor is at the heart of everything we do. As our EMEA business continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced New Product Development & SC (NPD) Manager to lead the development and the supply-chain delivery of new menu items, ingredients, packaging and product innovation across the region. Sitting within the Supply Chain team, this is a highly cross-functional role that acts as the bridge between Marketing, Operations, Development, Quality, Procurement, Global Innovation Teams and our supplier partners. You'll take ideas from concept through to launch, ensuring every innovation is operationally executable, commercially viable and unmistakably Wingstop. You'll be responsible for building a robust innovation pipeline that supports market growth while protecting the consistency and quality of our core menu. In addition, you will play a critical role in establishing, scaling, and optimizing our supply chain infrastructure within key categories that not only deliver NPD but support the core category and management too, this will complement the total category management supporting both top & bottom line. This role is both strategic and hands‑on, requiring a builder mindset to support NPD expansion, and ongoing category growth throughout EMEA and beyond. Lead product development, own the end‑to‑end NPD process from concept through to commercialization. Lead and project manage critical paths to support the pipeline development across multiple markets. Manage the EMEA innovation pipeline across food, beverages, packaging and equipment. Identify opportunities to share best practice across the business. Responsible for the category management of agreed food, packaging and equipment. Source, qualify and onboard suppliers, aligned to the Wingstop model. Strategically map out the next 1-3 years sourcing plan, based on development pipeline for NME & NPD management. With risk, quality and commercial management. Deliver Limited Time Offers (LTOs), permanent menu additions and market‑specific innovations. Ensure all innovation aligns with Wingstop’s global brand standards and flavor‑first philosophy. Lead supplier negotiations, contracts, and performance management. In line with regional and global framework Implement Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) practices including QBRs, Scorecards and continuous improvement plans. Ensure suppliers are meeting Wingstop governance and regulation on operational and product standards. Full due‑diligence and transparency required. Cross Functional Project Leadership Act as the central project lead across: Global Innovation Team Marketing Supply Chain (Including procurement) Operations Development (Globally) International Brand Partners Suppliers You'll coordinate timelines, manage dependencies and keep projects moving to deliver launches on time and within budget. Supplier & Partner Management Working with suppliers & development chefs across the globe to identify the upcoming trends. Create supplier briefs for suppliers on innovation opportunities. Manage supplier development from concept through production. Coordinate product trials and factory testing. Identify new supplier capabilities and emerging ingredient trends. Build strong partnerships that drive innovation. Category management of the core products and suppliers Supplier Management and strategic planning for several markets across the EMEA region, ensuring that both core & NPD products can delivered. Commercialization Lead the journey from kitchen concept to restaurant reality. This will require cross‑functional management and working closely with the Technical Manager and supplier to deliver the following core criteria. Product specification Cost modelling Ingredient sourcing Packaging development Shelf‑life validation Nutritional information Regulatory compliance Operational procedures Launch readiness and critical path management Operational Excellence Work closely with Operations to ensure every product can be executed consistently in restaurants. Responsible for: Restaurant testing Operational validation Equipment compatibility Crew training requirements Build