Senior NPD Leader: Retail-Facing Food Innovation

Sofina Foods Europe; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Online benefits hub

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking an experienced NPD leader to drive innovation and new product development across our European portfolio, with a strong focus on the M&S partnership. You will identify consumer trends, build pipelines and take concepts from idea to launch.

Working with Commercial, Category, Marketing and Operations, you will shape customer-focused strategies, ensure quality, safety and cost targets are met, and coach NPD teams to deliver fast, market-ready products.

Qualifications

• Experience leading NPD in retailer-facing food manufacturing.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into growth opportunities.
• Strong presentation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.
• Proven coaching and mentoring of cross-functional teams.
• Track record of delivering launches on time and within cost targets.
• Comfort collaborating with customers like M&S and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a rolling innovation pipeline aligned to business growth.
• Identify trends and turn them into viable product opportunities.
• Lead customer innovation sessions and present concepts to retailer teams.
• Drive speed to market and launch success through process improvements.
• Build relationships with customers, suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Lead projects from concept through launch approval.
• Coach NPD teams to foster a high-performing culture.

Skills

NPD process

Innovation management

Stakeholder influence

People leadership

Project management

Job description

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking an experienced NPD leader to drive innovation and new product development across our European portfolio, with a strong focus on the M&S partnership. You will identify consumer trends, build pipelines and take concepts from idea to launch.

Working with Commercial, Category, Marketing and Operations, you will shape customer-focused strategies, ensure quality, safety and cost targets are met, and coach NPD teams to deliver fast, market-ready products.