Senior NPD Manager

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

Shape the future of food innovation for one of the UK's leading retailers.

Role Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to lead innovation and New Product Development across Sofina Foods Europe, with a particular focus on our M&S partnership. You'll identify emerging consumer trends, build innovation pipelines and bring commercially successful products from concept through to launch.

Working closely with Commercial, Category, Marketing and Operations teams, you'll drive customer-focused innovation strategies that support growth while ensuring products meet standards for quality, safety, legality and cost.

Key Duties

• Develop and deliver a rolling innovation pipeline aligned to customer and business growth plans.
• Identify emerging consumer, category and food trends and turn them into viable opportunities.
• Lead customer innovation sessions and present concepts to retailer development teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in launch success and speed to market.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Lead innovation projects from concept through to launch approval.
• Coach and develop NPD teams to create a high-performing innovation culture.
• Represent Sofina at customer meetings, innovation forums and product reviews.

Ideal Candidate

• An experienced NPD professional with a proven track record in retailer-facing food manufacturing.
• Skilled in innovation, product development and NPD processes.
• Commercially aware with the ability to translate insight into growth opportunities.
• Confident presenting ideas and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experienced in leading customer-facing innovation programmes, ideally with M&S.
• An effective people leader with coaching and mentoring experience.
• Able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about food, consumer trends and product development.

Why Join Us?

You'll have the opportunity to influence innovation strategy, work closely with major retail customers and play a key role in shaping future growth. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a company pension scheme, life assurance, online benefits hub and ongoing career development opportunities within a collaborative and supportive environment.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It’s a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation