New Product Development Project Manager - Food Manufacturing

Michael Page; Frome; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced NPD Project Manager in Frome to manage key accounts and lead product development projects. Candidates should have 1-5 years in product development within the food sector and strong project management skills. The role offers competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and a pension scheme. This is an excellent opportunity for career advancement within the food project management industry.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday allowance

Company pension scheme

Life assurance cover

Wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• 1-5 years of experience in product development within the food sector.
• Strong background in project management from concept to launch.
• Solid numeracy skills for data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage key customer accounts and support sales teams.
• Lead end-to-end execution of new product development projects.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with industry regulations.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Job description

• Company training and professional growth within a global company!
• Great for a creative and organized NPD Project manager who wants more exposure!

About Our Client

The hiring organisation is a well-established and well-regarded, medium-sized company operating within the Food sector. They are known for their commitment to quality and innovation, doing both private label and own brand. This site producing over 100 SKUs and the NPD Project Manager will be apart of a close and lean team with senior leadership exposure.

Job Description

• Manage 2-3 key customer accounts, delivering regular presentations and supporting sales teams in client pitches and meetings.
• Lead end-to-end execution of new product development (NPD) projects-from initial concept through to full-scale production, and beyond.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product designs align with manufacturing capabilities, including support for plant trials and scale-up activities.
• Analyse market trends and consumer insights, incorporating findings into product development strategies in partnership with Marketing and Sales.
• Work closely with the Technical team to ensure all products comply with industry regulations and internal quality standards.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, timelines, and reporting tools (e.g., stage gate processes).
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and reduce production costs.
• Manage project budgets to ensure cost-effective delivery within financial targets.
• Provide hands-on technical support to troubleshoot and resolve production-related issues.
• Assess and evaluate supplier components and raw materials for quality, suitability, and consistency.

The Successful Applicant

A successful candidate for this NPD Project Manager role should demonstrate:

• 1-5 years of proven experience in product development within the food, beverage, or nutraceutical manufacturing sectors.
• A strong background in project management, including road mapping and leading projects from concept through to commercial launch.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and mitigate potential bottlenecks.
• Confidence and competence in delivering high-impact presentations-comfortable presenting 20+ slides to major clients on a regular basis.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and highly organized with a hands-on approach.
• Strong multitasking abilities and experience managing multiple projects simultaneously within a lean team environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all levels and functions.
• Solid numeracy skills essential for data analysis, costings, and reporting.
• A flexible, adaptable mindset with the ability to wear multiple hats and handle shifting priorities.
• Familiarity with technical documentation, regulatory compliance, and project management tools.
• Experience supporting or conducting plant trials (preferred but not essential).
• A commercially minded perspective with the ability to see the broader business impact of product development decisions.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Holiday allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme with 6% employer contribution.
• Life assurance cover at four times your salary.
• Wellbeing initiatives, including free eye tests, etc.
• Permanent position based in Frome.
• The ability to grow within a mid-large size company.

This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in the Food Project management industry. If you are ready to make an impact, apply today!