NPD Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd.; Bradford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment company is seeking a New Product Development Manager to oversee the NPD process from concept to market launch. This role requires strong expertise in food safety standards, excellent project management skills, and a proven track record in food manufacturing. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams and play a key role in driving innovation within product lines, supported by a competitive salary and benefits including a company car.

Benefits

Collaborative working environment

Career development opportunities

Company car provided

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in food manufacturing.
• Experience in New Product Development.
• Hands-on factory trials experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NPD process from concept to launch.
• Collaborate with technical and QA teams.
• Conduct feasibility assessments and manage documentation.

Skills

Food safety standards

Project management

Communication

Commercial viability awareness

Innovation

Education

Degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

New Product Development Manager

• Annual Salary: Negotiable
• Location: Scunthorpe
• Job Type: Full-time

Day-to-day of the role:

• Lead and manage the end-to-end New Product Development process, from concept generation to factory trials and product launch.
• Collaborate closely with the Technical Manager and Quality Assurance team to ensure all new products meet safety, legal, and customer requirements.
• Work with sales, marketing, and production teams to align NPD projects with business strategy and market trends.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement across product lines.
• Conduct feasibility assessments and risk analyses for new recipes and processes.
• Prepare and present product samples, specifications, costings, and project timelines.
• Manage technical documentation and ensure traceability for new ingredients and suppliers.
• Liaise with external stakeholders including customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
• Support the technical team with audits, technical reporting, and root cause analysis where needed.
• Train and mentor junior team members in both NPD and technical functions.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Degree in Food Science or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in food manufacturing, with proven experience in New Product Development.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards (BRC, HACCP, etc.).
• Hands-on experience in factory trials, scale-up, and process optimisation.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills - able to influence and lead cross-functional teams.
• Technically competent with an eye for commercial viability and product quality.
• Passionate, driven, and proactive with a genuine enthusiasm for food innovation.

Benefits:

• A collaborative and fast-paced working environment.
• Opportunity to shape the future of our product range.
• Career development within a growing business.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Company car provided.

Please apply at your earliest convenience to be considered for interview.