NPD and Innovation Manager

Pursuit Resources Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus paid twice a year of up to 9%

£5,000 annual car allowance

25 days holiday increasing with length of service

Group personal pension with 4% company contribution

MediCash Health Insurance

Quarterly staff samples and annual company BBQ

Job summary

Pursuit Resources Group is seeking an NPD & Innovation Manager to spearhead the innovation strategy of a premium food brand. The role involves identifying new category opportunities, leading product development, and managing a small team, directly impacting business growth.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in FMCG innovation, remarkable project management skills, and the ability to utilize consumer insights effectively. A degree is required, and the position offers hybrid working with excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading innovation within a food FMCG environment.
• Strong track record of successful product launches.
• Ability to manage and develop a team.

Responsibilities

• Own the innovation strategy for new category opportunities.
• Lead the NPD and stage-gate process from concept to launch.
• Build and present business cases to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Leading innovation in FMCG

Project management

Commercial awareness

Consumer insight utilization

Education

Degree educated or equivalent

Job description

Are you ready to take an iconic food brand into exciting new territory?

Why This Role - NPD & Innovation Manager

• Join a market-leading premium food brand with a strong reputation and genuine innovation ambition
• A rare opportunity to build something - not just manage an existing pipeline
• Work directly with senior leadership on a brief that genuinely matters to the business
• Supportive, fast-paced environment with hybrid working (three days in the office)

About the Role - NPD & Innovation Manager

This is a broad, senior remit. You will own the innovation strategy - identifying new category opportunities, building the commercial case for investment, and leading products from concept through to launch. You will manage and develop a small team, run the stage‑gate process, partner with marketing, commercial, operations and procurement, and help establish the ways of working for a new team.

What You Will Be Doing

• Leading innovation strategy from whitespace identification and consumer insight through to commercial launch
• Taking the brand into new categories - ambient, snacking, frozen and beyond
• Managing the full NPD and stage‑gate process
• Building and presenting business cases to senior stakeholders
• Overseeing budgets including cost management and project spend
• Developing compelling product concepts, brand positioning and retailer propositions
• Managing and developing members of the innovation team

What We Are Looking For - NPD & Innovation Manager

• Proven experience leading innovation in a food FMCG environment, with a track record of successful launches
• Experience taking brands into new or adjacent categories
• Ability to use consumer insight and category data to identify whitespace and build a commercial innovation agenda
• Strong project management and stage‑gate experience
• Commercial awareness with a clear focus on the consumer
• Degree educated or equivalent

About You

• Entrepreneurial, curious and creative - you see opportunity where others see risk
• A natural collaborator who can bring cross‑functional teams together and influence at senior level
• Someone who wants to build something, not just manage something
• Bonus paid twice a year of up to 9%
• £5,000 annual car allowance
• 25 days holiday increasing with length of service
• Group personal pension with 4% company contribution
• MediCash Health Insurance
• Quarterly staff samples, annual company BBQ and more

Please note; due to the location of our client's office you must be able to commute to the office by Car (3 days a week). Please note there is free parking on site.