New Product Development (NPD) Specialist

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

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in the UK is seeking a New Product Development Manager to oversee the entire development process from concept to launch. You will manage projects, communicate with various stakeholders, and ensure compliance with quality standards. The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and project management skills, along with a proactive mindset. Benefits include six weeks of holiday, discounts, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Six weeks holiday

15% store discount

10% discount for a friend

Career progression opportunities

Subsidised staff canteen

Free parking

Market leading pension

Healthcare benefits

Discounts on high street shops

Long Service Awards

Optional Payroll charity donations

Enhanced Family/maternity/parental leave

Qualifications

• Ability to inspire and engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Track record in managing NPD projects successfully.
• Strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Proactive and results-oriented mindset.
• Exceptional organizational skills for managing complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead development journey from concept to launch.
• Communicate with all stakeholders effectively.
• Manage timelines and tasks efficiently.
• Ensure compliance and consistency in documentation.
• Work closely with colleagues on product briefs.

Skills

Exceptional Communication Skills

Strong Project Management Experience

Relationship Building Skills

Enthusiasm and Drive

Organisational Skills

Job description

At Morrisons, we're proud to produce and manufacture many of our own food products, helping us stay close to our customers' needs. You'll be part of an exciting team that creates delicious, food products, whether it's innovating new items or perfecting existing ones, your work will have a direct impact on our customers’ tables.

As a key player in our product development team, you’ll take ownership of both New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects. From mind-mapping fresh ideas to launching them in stores, you’ll oversee the entire process, ensuring everything runs smoothly and on time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the Process: You’ll lead the development journey from concept to launch, making sure every step is delivered with care
• Communicate Like a Pro: Keep everyone in the loop, from retail teams to suppliers, making sure all stakeholders are up to speed on the progress of each project
• Stay on Track: You’ll manage timelines and tasks like a seasoned project manager, keeping everything on schedule
• Be Detail‑Oriented: Ensure all documentation is spot‑on for regulatory compliance and consistency
• Collaborate with wider Teams: Work closely with wider colleagues to turn their product briefs into reality, ensuring we meet and exceed customer expectations
• Work with Suppliers: Source new raw materials, collaborate with suppliers, and handle the paperwork to keep projects moving forward
• Get Creative: You’ll formulate recipes and prepare samples that bring product briefs to life, showcasing your culinary flair
• Factory Involvement: Coordinate factory trials and oversee the first production runs to ensure top‑notch quality and consistency
• Benchmark and Taste: Organise tasting sessions and benchmarking to assess product quality, and create action plans for improvements
• Evaluate Success: Post launch, you’ll review product performance and make any tweaks to keep our products at the top of their game

About you

In addition to the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description, there are several key qualifications and attributes that are essential for success in this role:

• Exceptional Communication Skills: You should possess the ability to inspire and engage with stakeholders at all levels and across various functions within the organisation. Clear and persuasive communication can facilitate collaboration and project success
• Strong Project Management Experience: Demonstrated experience in New Product Development (NPD) is crucial for this role. You should have a track record of successfully managing NPD projects, from concept to launch
• Relationship Building Skills: Building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and other stakeholders is a vital part of this role. Your ability to connect with and influence others will be important for project success
• Enthusiasm and Drive: A proactive and results‑oriented mind‑set is necessary to drive projects forward and deliver on objectives. Enthusiasm and motivation can inspire teams and keep projects on track
• Organisational Skills: Strong organisational skills are essential for managing complex projects with multiple tasks and deadlines. Prioritisation is key to ensuring that all aspects of the product development process run smoothly

In return for your hard work we will offer you:

• Six weeks holiday (including bank holidays)
• 15% discount in our stores available from the day you join us
• Additional 10% discount card for a friend or family member
• Career progression and development opportunities
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Free parking
• Market leading pension and life assurance
• Healthcare/Well‑being benefits including Aviva Digital GP
• Morrisons MyPerks with discounts at high street shops, cinemas and gyms, and lots more
• Long Service Awards
• Optional Payroll charity donations
• Enhanced Family/maternity/parental leave

About us

You’ll find a great big welcome here at Myton Food Group - the part of our business that looks after manufacturing, whilst maintaining strong roots within Morrisons Supermarkets.

At Myton Food Group, we have a legacy to be proud of. We’re British farming’s biggest single direct customer. We buy from highly valued suppliers. And we’re passionate about the quality of our food. Today, we have 19 manufacturing sites across the UK, where we pack and process fresh meats and fish, savoury and sweet pies, fruit and veg, flower bouquets, bread and lots more.

We really do stand out in the world of food manufacturing. But what we’re especially proud of is the way we all get stuck in and work as a team, in partnership across our supply chain. Read more about what we do at our Myton Food Group website.