Job Description
We are a forward-thinking food manufacturer creating delicious, nutritious, and convenient products designed for modern lifestyles. Our focus is simple: to deliver food that feels good, tastes great, and fits seamlessly into everyday life.
With ambitious growth plans and the experience to back them up, we combine big-company capability with a grounded, hands-on culture. Collaboration, openness, and a shared drive to succeed sit at the heart of how we work. Everyone plays a role, and every idea has the potential to make an impact.
Purpose of the Role
As NPD Manager, you will lead the end-to-end innovation and product development agenda, driving both new product launches and improvements to the existing range.
Working cross-functionally, you’ll bring ideas to life—collaborating closely with marketing, category, and culinary teams to build an exciting pipeline of products that excite customers and consumers alike.
This is a hands-on, high-impact role. You’ll take ownership from early concept through to factory scale-up and commercial launch, ensuring every product meets the highest standards of quality, cost efficiency, and feasibility.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership
* Lead projects through a structured Stage & Gate process from concept to launch
* Manage timelines, risks, and deliverables to ensure projects land on time and in full
* Own and maintain project documentation and reporting for senior stakeholders
* Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve challenges quickly
Product Development
* Translate insights into commercially viable, consumer-led product concepts
* Partner with culinary teams to refine product briefs, recipes, and costings
* Oversee trials, approvals, and scale-up into manufacturing
* Ensure products deliver on taste, quality, and operational efficiency
Innovation Pipeline
* Build and maintain a rolling 3-year innovation pipeline aligned to business goals
* Lead product renovation initiatives to keep the range competitive and relevant
* Identify opportunities for both branded and customer-led development
Factory & Launch Delivery
* Manage the transition from kitchen concept to factory production
* Support trials and first production runs, ensuring smooth execution
* Work closely with technical, supply chain, and procurement teams
* Oversee successful handover to production post-launch
Commercial & Technical Alignment
* Track and communicate the financial impact of development decisions
* Ensure accurate documentation for specifications and pack copy
* Drive post-launch reviews to capture learnings and optimise performance
Team Development
* Lead and develop a direct report, supporting growth and capability
* Build development plans and share knowledge across the wider business
* Champion market awareness through trend insights and competitor benchmarking
What We’re Looking For
* Proven experience in food manufacturing and product scale-up
* A strong track record of delivering end-to-end NPD projects
* Commercially aware with the ability to turn insight into action
* Confident communicator who thrives in cross-functional environments
* Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable in a fast-paced setting
* Hands-on knowledge of ingredients, processes, and food labelling
* A proactive mindset with a strong sense of ownership
* Passion for food and continuous improvement