NPD Manager

The Advocate Group; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking an experienced NPD Manager to join a market-leading food business on a 12-month FTC. You'll drive innovation and product development from concept to launch, collaborating with various teams to ensure success. The ideal candidate will have solid experience in food product development and strong commercial acumen. If you're ready to shape the future of fresh food, apply now.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in food product development, preferably in chilled/fresh categories.
• Strong commercial acumen and a strategic mindset.
• Ability to balance creativity with practical execution.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects.
• Confidence using data and market insights to guide decisions.
• Great communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation pipelines for new and existing customers.
• Identify market trends and untapped opportunities.
• Oversee product trials and factory readiness.
• Coordinate internal approvals to keep launches on track.
• Support long-term category growth strategies.

Job description

NPD Manager (12 month FTC)

Do you have a knack for turning creative food ideas into retail-ready success stories? Join a growing team at the heart of food product innovation, where no two days look the same and your ideas can shape what s next in food.

The Advocate Group are currently working with a market leading Food business on this exciting NPD Manager role.

As NPD Manager, you ll be central to driving new and improved products for leading UK retailers. From concept through to launch, you ll collaborate with insight, commercial, technical, and production teams to make sure each development is creative, on-trend, and commercially sound.

You ll also play a key role in:

• Leading innovation pipelines for both new and existing customers
• Identifying market trends and untapped opportunities
• Overseeing product trials and factory readiness
• Coordinating internal approvals to keep launches on track
• Supporting long-term category growth strategies

Qualifications

• Solid experience in food product development (chilled/fresh preferred) but would consider food, drink or broader FMCG experience
• Strong commercial acumen and a strategic mindset
• The ability to balance creativity with practical execution
• Experience managing cross-functional projects
• Confidence using data and market insights to guide decisions
• Great communication and stakeholder management skills

Ready to shape the future of fresh food? Apply today and take your NPD career to the next level.

For more details or to discuss how we can support your career, please get in touch with John, or click Apply Now to be considered.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.