NPD Manager

Vertical Advantage; Redhill; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established UK food manufacturer seeks a Product Development & Packaging Lead to oversee innovative projects for major retail customers. This role includes leading the end-to-end process for new products and packaging, ensuring alignment with customer specifications, and delivering projects on time and to quality standards. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in private label management and excel in customer engagement.

Benefits

Bonus and benefits included

Qualifications

• Proven experience with major UK retailers on private label projects.
• Strong focus on customer relationships and stakeholder management.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with analytical insight.

Responsibilities

• Lead product and packaging initiatives from concept to launch.
• Ensure project delivery on time and within budget.
• Coordinate communication between stakeholders and manage budgets effectively.

Skills

Private label experience

Customer focus

Analytical thinking

Presentation skills

Organisational skills

Proficiency in Excel

Job description

An established and innovative UK food manufacturer is looking for aProduct Development & Packaging Leadto drive end-to-end product and packaging development for major UK retail customers for a12 month FTC. This is a key customer-facing role responsible for delivering high-impact projects in new product development (NPD), packaging renovations, and compliance.

Role Overview:

• Act as the primary contact for customers across all product development, renovation, and packaging initiatives.
• Lead projects from concept to launch, ensuring on-time, in-budget delivery aligned with customer KPIs.
• Guarantee all new and existing products meet customer specifications, policies, and quality standards.
• Manage packaging design, artwork, and copy approvals based on final product specs.
• Submit customer specifications Right First Time (RFT) and within agreed timeframes.
• Organise and lead customer meetings and technical visits to manufacturing sites.
• Monitor and report on product performance through benchmarking panels and customer KPIs.
• Projects delivered to brief, on time, and with full customer satisfaction.
• All specs, artwork, and packaging approved within the critical path and green-scored at launch.
• Proactive communication, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Controlled budgets and cost-effective project execution.

? What We’re Looking For:

• Provenprivate label experiencewith major UK retailers.
• Strongcustomer focusand ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• High levels ofanalytical thinkingand a passion for product/process improvement.
• Excellentpresentation and influencingskills to move initiatives forward.
• Strong organisational skills andproficiency in Excel.

Ready to shape the future of food innovation and lead exciting retail projects? Join a passionate team that values creativity, collaboration, and delivering excellence.

Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available for this role.

Salary bracket from, £40,000 – £45,000 + bonus and benefits for a 12 month Fixed Term Contract

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