NPI Manager

Kinisla; Portadown; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave (excluding bank)

Matched pension scheme

Benefits platform with discounts

Employee Assistance Policy

Job summary

Kinisla is seeking an experienced NPI Manager to lead and develop the NPI team responsible for new product introductions, transfers, and packaging across the dairy portfolio. You will drive governance, project ownership, and cross-functional collaboration from mobilisation through launch and post-launch review.

You will ensure robust escalation paths, manage risks, and Coach the team to deliver compliant, scalable manufacturing solutions that meet customer requirements and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in NPI, process development or product implementation in food manufacturing.
• Proven ability to set direction, delegate, coach and intervene when oversight is required.
• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Dairy Science, Engineering or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and empower the NPI team to deliver multiple commercialisation and process implementation projects through to launch.
• Set priorities, delegate ownership and ensure robust scope, plans, milestones and launch readiness.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders and resolve barriers with senior alignment when needed.
• Plan and execute pilot plant work, factory trials and commercial start-ups with validated process parameters.
• Ensure robust audit-ready handovers with process capability, quality performance and validation documentation.
• Evaluate raw material and packaging specs and manage packaging changes to meet requirements.
• Maintain governance and approvals to ensure compliance with food legislation and customer codes of practice.
• Oversee risk management, governance reviews and launch readiness, escalating as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Project governance

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Food Science / Dairy Science / Engineering degree

Project Management qualification

Lean Six Sigma certification

Job description

About the Role:

Kinisla is seeking an experienced NPI Manager to lead, develop and empower the NPI team in delivering new product introductions, product transfers, process developments, packaging, artwork and commercialisation activities across our dairy consumer foods portfolio. This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a science-led food business, setting direction, building team capability and creating the conditions for others to translate product concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions and commercial outcomes. The role is accountable for the team’s successful delivery of New Product Introduction projects from development through factory implementation and launch. The NPI Manager will allocate ownership, coach delivery and remove barriers, while retaining direct management oversight of governance, strategic priorities, critical risks, compliance, approvals and people performance. You will lead the team in bringing together customers, brand teams, senior leaders and cross-functional specialists, ensuring clear project ownership, effective collaboration and timely delivery from mobilisation through launch and post-launch review. You will enable the NPI team to act as the integrator across wider R&D, Technical, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement and Commercial teams, stepping in directly where senior alignment or management decisions are required.

What will I be doing?

• Lead, coach and empower the NPI team to deliver multiple commercialisation and process implementation projects, while personally executing key project tasks when required, from product handover through scale-up, validation, factory implementation and launch.
• Set clear priorities, delegate project ownership and ensure team members establish robust scope, plans, milestones, resources, dependencies and launch-readiness criteria.
• Build team capability to coordinate multidisciplinary internal and external stakeholders, resolving barriers and intervening directly when senior alignment or escalation is required.
• Enable and support the team to plan and execute pilot plant work, factory trials and commercial start-ups, ensuring learning is converted into validated process parameters, manufacturing instructions and operational standards.
• Ensure the team delivers robust audit ready handovers to Operations and Technical teams, supported by evidence of process capability, repeatability, quality performance and completed validation documentation.
• Guide the team in evaluating raw material and packaging specifications and delivering packaging implementation or change programmes that meet manufacturing and customer requirements.
• Retain management oversight ensuring products, packaging and process changes meet food legislation, customer codes of practice, food safety policies and internal quality systems, with all required approvals completed before implementation.
• Manage the cross functional master schedule and oversee the identification and mitigation of technical, quality, operational and regulatory risks, making or escalating decisions where the level of risk requires management intervention.
• Provide management oversight of stage-gate and governance reviews, assuring the quality of updates on progress, risks, resources and launch readiness and supporting timely decisions.
• Hold the team accountable for accurate and timely launch approvals and post-launch reviews, ensuring learning is embedded in future delivery.
• Support team members in building effective relationships with suppliers, packaging partners, contract manufacturers and customer technical teams, leading strategic or sensitive discussions when required.
• Lead and develop the NPI team through clear objectives, coaching, feedback, succession planning, recognition and performance management, creating an inclusive culture in which people are inspired to perform.
• Lead delivery of the R&D strategy on site, contribute to site strategy, site continuous improvement and cost optimisation, embedding standardised NPI processes, tools and continuous improvement practices that strengthen capability, efficiency, quality and launch success.

What do I need to be successful?

At Kinisla, we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

These include:

• Typically, 5 years relevant experience in NPI, process development, commercialisation or product implementation within food manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to set direction, delegate effectively, coach others, build accountability and intervene appropriately when management oversight is required.
• Degree qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Dairy Science, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, factory trials, scale-up, validation and operational readiness.
• Knowledge of food safety and quality management systems, regulatory compliance, product specifications, allergen management, labelling and customer approval requirements.
• Excellent project governance, communication and stakeholder management skills, with sound judgement in prioritisation, escalation and decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving capability and the confidence to make informed decisions under pressure.
• Dairy, spreads, cheese, chilled foods or packaging experience would be advantageous.
• A Project Management qualification, Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent would be beneficial.

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire and lead the evolution of dairy food and nutrition. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays).
• Matched pension scheme.
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.
• Employee Assistance Policy.

About Kinisla

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 28 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,700 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

At Kinisla, we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.