NPD Manager: Food Innovation & Launch Leader

Inform3 Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

INFORM3 Recruitment seeks an experienced NPD Manager to lead innovation and product development strategy for meat, bakery and snacking in Co. Dublin. You will manage a team of food scientists, partner with customers and ensure EU/Irish regulatory compliance and cutting edge ingredient solutions.

The role requires 7+ years in NPD, strong project leadership, and commercial acumen, with a salary of €70K-€80K depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in an NPD role within the food ingredients industry.
• Track record of developing ingredient solutions for at least two of meat, bakery, or snacking.
• Strong technical knowledge of ingredient functionality and food manufacturing processes.
• Excellent project and people management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to work effectively with sales and marketing teams.
• Ability to build product strategy and execute an effective NPD stage gate process.
• Experience within the Irish and UK food manufacturing industries.

Responsibilities

• Drive all stages of the NPD cycle for ingredient blends across multiple sectors and ensure alignment of the NPD strategy with overall business goals.
• Undertake the matching of existing competitor recipes.
• Act as a key technical partner for customers in the meat, bakery, and snacking industries.
• Interpret their needs and translate them into commercially viable product matches and innovative solutions.
• Manage and develop a team of food scientists and technologists, fostering an environment of creativity and technical excellence.
• Oversee a diverse portfolio of NPD projects, managing timelines, resources, and budgets to ensure successful and timely product launches.
• Ensure all new products demonstrate a robust understanding of culinary requirements and applications.
• Oversee a level of technical support for our customers and internal stakeholders where relevant.
• Stay current with all relevant Irish and EU food regulations, with specific attention to ingredient claims, food additives, and labelling requirements for the targeted sectors.

Skills

NPD management

Team leadership

Project management

Customer liaison

Regulatory knowledge

Food science

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline

Job description

INFORM3 Recruitment seeks an experienced NPD Manager to lead innovation and product development strategy for meat, bakery and snacking in Co. Dublin. You will manage a team of food scientists, partner with customers and ensure EU/Irish regulatory compliance and cutting edge ingredient solutions.

The role requires 7+ years in NPD, strong project leadership, and commercial acumen, with a salary of €70K-€80K depending on experience.