Npd Manager

The Sterling Choice Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance (4x salary)

Wellbeing support

24/7 GP access

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Sterling Choice Ltd is recruiting an experienced NPD Manager in the UK to own key product development projects and lead a small team. The role involves regular travel between two manufacturing sites and some customer meetings with major UK retailers.

You will drive concepts from idea to launch, ensuring alignment with retailer standards and manufacturing capabilities. This is a dynamic, fast-paced role requiring strong commercial acumen and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in NPD within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Proven track record of delivering products from concept through to launch.
• Experience working with major UK retailers.
• Previous team management or leadership experience.
• Strong commercial awareness, communication and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel regularly between two sites.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full NPD process from concept and recipe development through to factory trials and successful launch.
• Lead and develop a small NPD team.
• Manage a key retail customer account, building strong relationships and ensuring customer expectations are met.
• Work closely with Technical, Operations and Commercial teams to deliver innovative, commercially viable products.
• Oversee project timelines, product specifications and launch readiness.
• Ensure products meet retailer standards, quality requirements and manufacturing capabilities.
• Collaborate across two manufacturing sites to support successful project delivery.

Skills

NPD management

Team leadership

Project management

Retail experience

Food manufacturing

Job description

We are recruiting for an experienced

NPD Manager

to join a leading UK food manufacturer on a 12-month fixed-term contract/perm.This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of key product development projects, manage a small team and build strong relationships with major UK retail customers.

The role requires regular commuting between two manufacturing sites , alongside occasional travel to customer meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full NPD process from concept and recipe development through to factory trials and successful launch.
• Lead and develop a small NPD team.
• Manage a key retail customer account, building strong relationships and ensuring customer expectations are met.
• Work closely with Technical, Operations and Commercial teams to deliver innovative, commercially viable products.
• Oversee project timelines, product specifications and launch readiness.
• Ensure products meet retailer standards, quality requirements and manufacturing capabilities.
• Collaborate across two manufacturing sites to support successful project delivery.

About You

• Minimum 5 years' experience in NPD within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Proven track record of delivering products from concept through to launch.
• Experience working with major UK retailers.
• Previous team management or leadership experience.
• Strong commercial awareness, communication and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel regularly between two sites.

What's on Offer?

• £60,000 salary
• 12-month fixed-term contract
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Wellbeing support and 24/7 GP access
• Professional development opportunities