NPD Manager

Hunter Savage; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food processing company in Northern Ireland is seeking an NPD Manager to create new recipes, manage product development projects, and ensure compliance with Food Safety standards. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years' experience in a similar role, strong communication skills in English, and a relevant food science qualification. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative product development in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar NPD role.
• Basic English communication skills required.
• Third-level qualification in food science or related field.

Responsibilities

• Create new recipes and oversee their transfer from kitchen to factory.
• Manage multiple projects from concept to launch.
• Ensure Food Safety compliance with company policies.

Skills

3 years’ experience in a similar role

Basic verbal and written English

Computer literate and competent with Microsoft packages

Education

Third-level food science, technology or food-related discipline

Previous NPD role within chilled fresh food industry

Job description

Avondale Foods – NPD Manager

Avondale Foods is a leading food processing company supplying fresh and chilled products to leading UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Waitrose.

Mission

Our mission is to create new products, develop partnerships with new and existing customers and suppliers, guaranteeing long‑term sustainability of Avondale Foods.

Scope of Role

As NPD Manager, you will create new recipes and transfer them from kitchen to factory, ensuring they meet agreed customer specifications through an efficient manufacturing process.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret briefs in line with customer expectations and company business plans.
• Be knowledgeable of current market trends and factors affecting consumer choice.
• Adjust recipes/processes to suit existing systems or create new systems in line with business needs.
• Deal with numerous projects, taking them from concept to launch in accordance with strict critical path and documentation.
• Specifically manage key accounts and be in full control over customer presentations (internal & external) and preparation of products, recipes, presentation booklets and photographic portfolio.
• Translate food trends into relevant and commercially viable product development.
• Liase and attend meetings internally & externally to aid business development.
• Complete documentation and recipe record keeping on recipe system.
• Understand site capabilities and attend development trials when necessary.
• T Take responsibility for short‑term or long‑term projects as required.
• Adhere to company general policies, e.g., Food Safety, Health Safety, Absence, etc.
• Undertake other appropriate duties as deemed necessary within scope of role.
• Contribute to culture of integrity, collaboration, “do the right thing” in all interactions.
• Ensure Food Safety compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements to remain audit‑ready at all times.

Essential Qualifications

• 3 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Basic verbal and written English.
• Third‑level food science, technology or food‑related discipline.
• Previous NPD role within chilled fresh food industry.
• Computer literate and competent with all Microsoft packages.

Desirable Qualifications

• People‑management experience.

Values

Avondale Foods’ values are integrity, collaboration and doing the right thing in all interactions.

Avondale Foods, 15 Dukestown Lane, Lurgan.