NPD Project Manager

JR United Kingdom; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK retail sector seeks an experienced NPD Project Manager on a maternity cover contract. This hybrid role requires strong leadership and project management skills to oversee product development projects, ensuring quality and compliance from concept to launch. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Food Science or related field and 3-5 years of relevant experience.

Benefits

10% annual bonus

Excellent benefits package

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience in private label development or quality role within UK retail.
• Strong product and process knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from brief to launch, managing packaging and product compliance.
• Act as primary contact for retail customers on product development.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Organizational Skills

Customer-centric Mindset

Analytical Skills

Communication

Presentation Skills

Excel

Education

Degree in Food Science or Food Technology

Job description

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We’re seeking an experienced NPD Project Manager for a Maternity cover contract to lead the delivery of product development projects for UK retail customers. This role acts as the key interface between internal teams, account managers, and customer stakeholders—ensuring all development, packaging, and quality standards are met from concept to launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary contact for UK retail customers on all matters relating to private label development, packaging updates, and product communication
• Lead projects from initial brief through to launch, including NPD and packaging renovation
• Ensure compliance with all customer guidelines, technical policies, and specifications for both new and existing products
• Manage pack copy, artwork approval, and packaging changes in line with agreed specifications
• Organise and lead customer meetings and technical visits to manufacturing sites
• Monitor product performance through benchmarking, consistency panels, and customer product KPIs
• Maintain and control the tracker, ensuring projects are delivered within budget
• Strong leadership, project management, and organisational skills
• Customer-centric mindset with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders
• Analytical and curious, with strong product and process knowledge
• Confident communicator with strong influencing and presentation skills
• High proficiency in Excel
• Degree-level education, ideally in Food Science, Food Technology or relevant working experience
• 3–5 years’ experience in a private label development or quality role within UK retail

This is a hybrid role where you'll be expected to be in the office 3 days a week.

The salary banding for this role is £35,000 - £45,000 + 10% bonus and excellent benefits.