NPD Project Manager

Michael Page; Chilton Polden; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading family-owned company in the food industry is seeking an experienced NPD Manager to join their innovation team. The role involves coordinating product development from concept to launch, managing industrial trials, and overseeing artwork development. Candidates should have a recognized qualification in Food Science or a related field, along with proven project management skills. The offer includes a salary of up to £45,000 per annum, along with 25 days of holiday, company sick pay, and a pension scheme.

Benefits

25 Days holiday + Bank Holidays

Company sick pay

4 x death in service

Pension 6%

Full training given

Qualifications

• Proven record in project management.
• Experience in a food manufacturing background is essential.
• Dairy experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate development from concept through to final launch.
• Develop recipes and products through hands-on trials.
• Oversee costings and make price recommendations.

Skills

Project management

Hands-on attitude

Flexibility

Education

Qualification in Food Science or Food Technology

Job description

Due to continued success & growth, my client is seeking an NPD Manager to join their innovation team. You will be driving & supporting the development & optimisation of the Company's product range in line with the strategy defined by leadership & the business.

Client Details

My client is a successful family‑owned company, with turnover in the Billions that is a market leader in their industry. Their success has come from empowering a hands‑on, pragmatic individuals with dynamic, solution‑seeking & market‑share winning organisation. They have experienced rapid growth across the last 6 years & have an ambitious investment plan across the next 2‑5 years.

Description

• Coordinate development from concept through to final launch. Be a pivotal contact between all departments to ensure a smooth launch of the new products or changes in the factory.
• Develop recipes and products, conduct hands‑on development work from initial kitchen trials to industrial trials, including organoleptic assessment (tasting).
• Manage the organisation of the industrial trials, communicate the results, actions/improvements to be carried out and follow up on them.
• Ensure the products will be produced in the normal conditions on the current equipment, raise and communicate any concerns about possible difficulties.
• Provide hands‑on training when running factory trials to production team.
• Understand and know how to use the pilot plant and development lab, suggest improvements and notify breakdowns/malfunctions.
• Support production team with product and process expertise when necessary.
• Be your customers main point of contact for development, optimisation and improvement projects from brief to launch and other queries about products, process and packaging.
• Be the Development technical expert to influence customer briefs by offering insight into feasibility and factory capabilities.
• Face to face presentation to customer either at their head office, or on site to explain our business model, development capabilities and technical advantages.
• Oversee costings and make price recommendation to Commercial director.
• Lead and coordinate all products related projects – from initial customer brief through development, trials, artwork, factory validation, and final launch.
• Manage end to end artwork development, internally and externally, with the right process and legal checks through to sign off either for development projects and design or legal updates.
• Monday – Friday – Days (Onsite).

Flexibility required in this position.

Profile

You will be an experienced New Product Development specialist from a manufacturing background, along with the following:

• Recognised qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.
• Automated environment experience would be beneficial.
• Food experience is a must (Dairy would be advantageous).
• Proven record in project management.
• Hands on attitude & flexible approach to the job.

Job Offer

• Up to £45,000/annum
• 25 Days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Company sick pay
• 4 x death in service
• Pension 6%
• Full training given