Product Development Manager

Focus Management Consultants; England; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food innovation firm is seeking a Product Development Manager to oversee the creation of innovative products that meet high-quality standards. This role involves managing the entire product lifecycle, working closely with cross-functional teams, and utilizing customer insights to develop market-leading concepts. The ideal candidate will have experience in food manufacturing and a passion for innovation. Competitive salary of up to £55k with benefits is offered, and there are opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Bonus scheme

Employer-matched pension

Health cash plan

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in product development within the food manufacturing sector.
• Strong understanding of the NPD process from concept to launch.
• Ability to influence and build relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the NPD and EPD pipelines for key customers.
• Translate customer briefs into viable product concepts.
• Manage product lifecycle from idea generation to launch.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure quality and feasibility.
• Utilize market data for new product opportunities.

Skills

Product development experience

Strong communication skills

Project management

Food innovation

Job description

If you’re a passionate innovator with a talent for bringing fresh food ideas to life, this could be the role for you. You’ll be at the forefront of creating innovative, high-quality products that delight customers and consumers alike.

In this key position, you’ll oversee the product development pipeline from concept to launch, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure your products meet the highest standards of quality and creativity. You’ll collaborate with development chefs, technical experts, and commercial teams, and be instrumental in managing the project lifecycle with an efficient and detail-oriented approach.

What you’ll be doing :

• Lead the NPD and EPD pipelines for key customers, ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to brief.
• Translate customer briefs and category opportunities into innovative, commercially viable concepts.
• Oversee the full product lifecycle-from idea generation and recipe development through to factory trials, sign-off, and product launch.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure feasibility, scalability, and adherence to quality standards.
• Use market data, trend insights, and consumer feedback to identify and develop new product opportunities that meet customer expectations.
• Provide support for customer presentations and range reviews with insight-driven recommendations.
• Ensure that all products meet food safety, quality, and shelf-life standards, in collaboration with technical teams.
• Manage costing and sustainability considerations to deliver profitable and environmentally conscious solutions.

What you’ll get :

• Base salary up to £55,, depending on experience, plus car allowance.
• Bonus scheme, employer-matched pension and a health cash plan.
• Access to a range of flexible benefits
• The chance to grow within a rapidly expanding business with clear opportunities for career progression.

What you need to succeed :

• Proven experience in product development within the food manufacturing sector.
• Strong understanding of the NPD process from concept to launch, with experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• A natural communicator with the ability to influence, build relationships, and present compelling recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• A passion for food innovation, with a focus on quality

If developing innovative, market-leading products gets you out of bed in the morning, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply now or get in touch with Rachel for more information

REF RLS