NPD Manager

Mackle Food Company; Dungannon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading-edge snack manufacturer in Northern Ireland is seeking an experienced NPD Manager to oversee the development of high-quality snack products. This role involves leading the entire NPD process, managing product trials, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Food Science, experience in food manufacturing, and strong project management skills. Join this innovative company to drive product innovation and business growth.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in NPD within the food manufacturing industry.
• Proven track record of successful product development.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and HACCP protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the entire NPD process from concept to launch.
• Manage product trials and provide critical feedback.
• Collaborate with commercial teams for product launches.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Creativity in product innovation

Multitasking

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Mackle Food Company is a leading-edge private label manufacturer of premium extruded snacks to markets such as baby & toddler, organic, conventional, good for you snacking and functional.

Established in 2005 we have gained a respected and trusted reputation within the snacking and extrusion industry. Still run by our founder, Joseph Mackle, our purpose-built factory, and staff continue to uphold our commitment to quality, service and innovation.

We are proud to be grade AA+ certified against the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. We work with customers all over the world across a wide range of products.

Due to our continued growth, we are looking for an experienced and results-oriented NPD Manager to lead our team in achieving ambitious growth targets. This is an exciting role for a strategically minded individual to contribute to the creation of high-quality snack products in a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. As the NPD Manager, you will play a pivotal role in advancing business growth by overseeing the successful development of new products and enhancing our existing product portfolio in line with the company goals.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of most innovative global snack manufacturers.

Main responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the entire NPD process to deliver the goals of the company through NPD, from initial concept development through to successful product launch, in close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Innovation, Production, and Quality.
• Manage product trials, sensory evaluations, and provide critical feedback to ensure alignment with market expectations and organisational objectives.
• Manage comprehensive project timelines, ensuring the timely completion of all key development milestones.
• Manage resources to ensure to source ingredients and materials that meet defined cost, quality, and sustainability benchmarks.
• Collaborate with commercial team to ensure seamless product launches and commercially visible products.
• Monitor and analyse industry trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor products to inform and drive innovation.
• Ensuring the appropriate maintenance of records of NPD activities to ensure audit compliance in NPD & EPD activities.
• Provide management, support and guidance to the NPD team.

Essential Criteria

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in NPD within the food manufacturing industry, with a proven track record of successful product development.
• Strong project management capabilities, including experience leading and coordinating product development teams.
• Proven experience in team management and leadership.
• In knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP protocols, and product testing methodologies.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• A proactive, creative approach to product innovation and problem-solving.
• Strong multitasking and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting critical deadlines.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft office Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
• Good team player who is flexible and reliable in their approach.
• Professional individual, who is passionate about the food industry.