NPI Program Lead: Food Innovation & Launches

Pilgrim's Europe

Cambridge

On-site

GBP 70,000 - 95,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an experienced NPI Manager to lead the New Product Introduction function at the Linton site, guiding concepts from idea through trials to successful launch. You will oversee the NPI team, drive stage-gate processes, and partner with Product Development, Commercial, Operations, and Quality to meet technical, quality, and commercial requirements.

The role emphasizes innovation, manufacturing performance, profitability, and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced food

Qualifications

Experience managing customer relationships across multiple stakeholders.
Proven experience leading factory trials and product launches.
Understanding of product costings and commercial considerations.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
Knowledge of food manufacturing legislation, food safety standards and labeling requirements.
Strong organisational and workload management skills.
Ability to build effective relationships with customers, suppliers and cross-functional teams.
Proficient in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Experience identifying and implementing cost-saving and continuous improvement opportunities.

Responsibilities

Lead the New Product Introduction function and act as the site/category SME for NPI.
Manage and develop the NPI team, ensuring workloads are prioritised and balanced.
Support innovation and product ideation activities.
Contribute to feasibility assessments during product development stages.
Build strong relationships with customers and act as a key contact when required.
Coordinate product trials, factory validations and first production runs.
Ensure all technical validations, nutritional analysis, shelf-life verification, and documentation are completed.
Lead pre-launch meetings and ensure all launch milestones are achieved.
Drive successful product launches through project management and critical path control.
Support operational excellence initiatives including efficiency, yield and cost improvement projects.
Maintain compliance with food safety, HACCP, legislative and health & safety requirements.
Approve and maintain NPI-related controlled documentation.
Support artwork approval processes and technical specification reviews where applicable.
Deliver against business budgets and support customer value chain opportunities.
Travel as required to support customers, sites and projects.