NPD Manager

Novus Recruitment Limited; Lenham; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy

Hybrid work arrangement

Career development

Job summary

Novus Recruitment Limited is partnering with a leading UK food manufacturer to recruit an NPD Manager. This role oversees projects from concept to launch, working closely with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams to bring innovative products to market.

The position is predominantly site-based with the flexibility to work from home one day per week, offering genuine autonomy and strong team support to shape product direction.

Qualifications

• Experience within food product development or NPD.
• Proven experience managing projects from concept through to launch.
• Strong critical path and project management capability.
• Experience working within a food manufacturing environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Passion for food, innovation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Drive projects through the stage-gate process, ensuring delivery against agreed timescales.
• Manage and maintain critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
• Collaborate closely with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams.
• Coordinate product trials, validations and launch activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the product development process.
• Mentor and support members of the development team where required.
• Ensure customer expectations, quality standards and commercial objectives are met throughout the development cycle.

Skills

Food product development

Project management

Critical path management

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Job description

NPD Manager

Food Industry

£70k plus package

We're partnering with an ambitious food manufacturing business who have an opportunity for an NPD Manager to join them who will work closely with the senior team and customers as they evolve,

This role offers the chance to manage projects across the full product development lifecycle, from concept creation through to launch, working closely with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams to deliver innovative products to market.

You'll be given genuine autonomy, the opportunity to influence product direction and the support of an experienced and collaborative team. This position would suit either an established NPD Manager or a Senior Development Technologist looking to take the next step into a broader management role.

This is a predominantly site-based position with the flexibility to work from home one day per week.

About the Business

Our client is a successful and well-established food manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer partnership.

The business continues to invest in product development and operational excellence, creating an environment where individuals can make a genuine impact while developing their career.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage NPD projects from concept through to launch.
• Drive projects through the stage-gate process, ensuring delivery against agreed timescales.
• Manage and maintain critical paths to ensure successful product launches.
• Collaborate closely with commercial, technical, operations and supply chain teams.
• Coordinate product trials, validations and launch activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the product development process.
• Mentor and support members of the development team where required.
• Ensure customer expectations, quality standards and commercial objectives are met throughout the development cycle.

Ideal background

• Experience within food product development or NPD.
• Proven experience managing projects from concept through to launch.
• Strong critical path and project management capability.
• Experience working within a food manufacturing environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Passion for food, innovation and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to join a business who reward and encourage autonomy and ambition. They have a supportive and collaborative culture, and the customer base and upcoming projects will be of real interest to a product development specialist.