Vickerstock is proud to be working in partnership with an innovative and diverse Food Production Client on the appointment of NPD Manager for their site in Armagh. They are passionate about quality and are committed to supplying premium products that are fresh and locally sourced.
As the successful NPD Manager, you will play a primary role in advancing product innovation and brand-building initiatives through matching consumer needs and championing the creation and commercialisation of innovative new products to support continued business growth. You will be responsible for developing and nurturing good co-operative business relationships with key personnel within the organisation and work closely with other managers to deliver a successful product innovation strategy.
What you will receive:
1. Competitive salary depending on experience.
2. Opportunity to work with a rapidly expanding business.
3. Great career progression opportunities
What your typical day will look like as NPD Manager:
4. Carry out all concept development work including ingredient sourcing, recipe control, and process planning in line with company and customer policies and specifications.
5. Ensure all NPD and EPD is accurately costed and signed off with any potential issues highlighted with relevant management.
6. Laboratory analysis for nutritional value and shelf life of new products must be carried out in accordance with company or customer policy.
7. Appropriate level of involvement will be required in the sourcing, trialling and transit testing of all new packaging.
8. Ensuring Technical records and Quality Manual are developed and completed for new products in development
9. Ensures new product ingredients and specifications are prepared that allow for optimum pricing rates in order to deliver acceptable profit margins for each of the product lines.
10. Develops market/consumer targeting plans for the successful introduction of new products and communicate these plans to the broader UMI Foods group and progress is reported appropriately to internal and external customers.
11. Liaise with Commercial, Technical, Production Managers in the ideation and evaluation phases of new product ideas.
12. Identifies product innovation opportunities to increase sales volumes.
What you will need to secure your new role:
13. Third level degree in food related science required.
14. Minimum of 3 years' experience in a similar NPD role.
15. Strong communication and presentation skills supported by appropriate IT skills.
16. Ability to initiate, develop and maintain executive level relationships.
17. A proven track record of championing new products including concept evaluation, product development, and successful in-market performance.
18. Excellent communicator with the visible passion and enthusiasm for achieving targets, objectives and continuous improvement in a cross-functional team.
19. Strong data-analysis and process mapping skills.