NPD Manager

Drnewitt; Dunstable; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Drnewitt is seeking an experienced NPD Manager for a major retail-focused role in the Home Counties. You will lead retailer-led innovation, guiding products from concept to launch and shaping future category direction.

The position offers hybrid working, with three days on site and two from home, within commutable reach of Milton Keynes, Luton, St Albans, Northampton and North London. The ideal candidate will have proven NPD experience in food manufacturing, strong retailer-facing skills, and a

Qualifications

• NPD experience in food manufacturing.
• Strong retailer-facing relationship skills.
• Commercial mindset with a passion for food innovation.
• Track record of delivering successful product launches.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Build, maintain and grow relationships with key retail customers.
• Present innovative concepts and category insights to customers.
• Identify emerging trends and translate them into commercially successful products.
• Collaborate with Technical, Operations, Marketing and Commercial teams.
• Manage customer development pipelines and support business growth initiatives.

Skills

NPD management

Retail leadership

Product development

Cross-functional

Job description

Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced NPD Manager to join a successful, innovation-led food manufacturer supplying major UK retailers. The organisation has a strong reputation for product innovation, quality and collaborative customer partnerships.

This is a major retail-focused NPD opportunity based in the Home Counties. You will lead retailer-led innovation projects, drive product development from concept to launch and help shape future category direction. The role offers hybrid working, with three days on site and two days from home, and is commutable from Milton Keynes, Luton, St Albans, Northampton and North London.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead NPD projects from concept through to successful launch.
• Build, maintain and grow relationships with key retail customers.
• Present innovative concepts and category insights directly to customers.
• Identify emerging trends and translate them into commercially successful products.
• Collaborate with Technical, Operations, Marketing and Commercial teams.
• Manage customer development pipelines and support business growth initiatives.

About You

• Proven NPD experience within food manufacturing.
• Strong retailer-facing and relationship management skills.
• Commercially minded with a passion for food innovation.
• Track record of delivering successful product launches.

Why Join?

• Established and successful food manufacturer with a strong market presence.
• Opportunity to influence category-leading innovation.
• High-profile retailer exposure and customer interaction.
• Entrepreneurial culture where ideas are encouraged and rewarded.
• Broad and evolving product portfolio with significant scope for innovation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious NPD professional who enjoys balancing product innovation with major retail customer engagement and wants to make a visible impact within a growing and highly respected food manufacturer.