NPD Project Manager — Food Innovation Lead

Manucomm Recruitment Ltd; Galhampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £50,000

Performance bonus 10%

Benefits package

Mon-Fri pattern

Lead innovative projects

Collaborative growing business

Career development

Job summary

Manucomm Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced NPD Project Manager for a premium food business in Somerset. You will lead the development of own-brand food products from concept to launch, overseeing cross-functional teams across bakery, dairy, and ambient categories.

The role offers autonomy to drive innovation, manage timelines and supplier relationships, and contribute to ambitious growth plans. Excellent benefits, a competitive salary up to £50,000 and a 10% bonus are on offer.

Qualifications

• Experience in NPD/Product Development or NPD Manager within the food industry.
• Experience developing chilled, frozen and/or ambient food products.
• Strong commercial awareness and product costing experience.
• Excellent project management and critical path management skills.
• Experience working with suppliers and packaging development.
• Leadership or team management experience.
• Good understanding of UK food legislation, food safety and allergen requirements.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of new and existing food products.
• Manage multiple NPD projects from concept through to successful launch.
• Assess commercial viability, costings, product formats and critical paths.
• Lead and develop a Junior Product Developer.
• Manage packaging development and artwork approval processes.
• Build strong supplier relationships and negotiate commercial terms where appropriate.
• Monitor food trends, competitor activity and emerging market opportunities.
• Collaborate with Technical, Buying, Marketing, Retail and Merchandising teams to deliver successful product launches.
• Ensure products comply with UK foodsafety, allergen and labelling legislation.
• Manage project timelines, risks and supplier forecasts.

Skills

NPD experience

Food industry experience

Excel skills

PowerPoint skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Manucomm Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced NPD Project Manager for a premium food business in Somerset. You will lead the development of own-brand food products from concept to launch, overseeing cross-functional teams across bakery, dairy, and ambient categories.

The role offers autonomy to drive innovation, manage timelines and supplier relationships, and contribute to ambitious growth plans. Excellent benefits, a competitive salary up to £50,000 and a 10% bonus are on offer.