NPD Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced NPD & Process Manager to innovate bakery and confectionery products from idea to launch. You will track trends, lead cross-functional teams, and ensure product compliance with safety standards. This permanent role offers a competitive salary of £40,000 - £55,000 based on experience and great company benefits. Ideal candidates are passionate about flavour and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

Great company benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in new product development within bakery or confectionery.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Track bakery and confectionery trends and competitor activities.
• Lead the full NPD journey from ideation to launch.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver products.

Skills

NPD experience in bakery and confectionery

Project management skills

Knowledge of food safety and HACCP

Flavour innovation

Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments

Job description

Overview

New Product Development (NPD) & Process Manager - Bakery & Confectionery

Location: Yeovil

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 DOE

Role Summary

Are you a flavour-forward thinker with a passion for crafting irresistible baked goods and indulgent chocolate creations? If you're ready to lead innovation from concept to launch, this is your chance to shape the future of bakery and confectionery! We are looking for a creative and commercially savvy NPD & Process Manager to drive product development and process excellence across our sweet and savoury portfolio. From trendspotting to factory trials, you'll be at the heart of bringing delicious ideas to life.

Responsibilities

• Trend Tracking: Stay ahead of bakery and confectionery trends, competitor activity, and emerging tech.
• Innovation Leadership: Own the full NPD journey—ideation, recipe development, trials, scale-up, and launch.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Partner with packaging, procurement, marketing, and technical teams for seamless delivery.
• Recipe Refinement: Optimise for taste, texture, shelf life, nutrition, and production efficiency.
• Process Design: Create and validate factory processes, oversee trials, and ensure smooth first production runs.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive factory capability enhancements and process optimisations.
• Customer Feedback Loop: Adjust products based on consumer and customer insights.
• Project Management: Keep timelines, budgets, and resources on track.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure all products meet food safety, labelling, allergen, and ethical sourcing standards.

Qualifications

• Proven NPD experience in bakery and/or confectionery.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
• A passion for flavour, innovation, and consumer delight.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience (£40-55k)
• Great company benefits

Next Steps

Ready to Bake Up Something Brilliant? If you're excited by the idea of crafting crave-worthy products and leading innovation in the sweet and baked goods space, we'd love to hear from you. Send us your CV and a cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this delicious opportunity