Job Title: NPD Process Lead
Location: Tofoo Co.
Reports to: NPD Manager
Overview
The Tofoo Co are starting a tofu revolution - one delicious, healthy meal at a time and we need YOU
We have happy and engaged staff where the belief is quality beats quantity. This extremely exciting business makes tofu but not any old tofu, the real stuff– natural, sustainable, organic and traditional made by hand and packed in Yorkshire.
The Tofoo Co plan to change the way we eat helping us all to make better choices without compromising on taste. With a clear vision, most major retailers on board and a growing loyal customer following, The Tofoo Co will make a difference to how we shop, cook and eat.
We are looking for an NPD Process Lead ideally with a strong background in food science and nutrition along with hands-on experience in formulating, scaling and launching new products.
Role Purpose
The NPD Process Lead is the process expert and technical authority for New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects across all manufacturing locations, including Tofoo-owned factories and third-party manufacturers. They we will work to the NPD gate process as set out by the NPD manager
The role is responsible for owning and managing the development, validation, and scale up of manufacturing processes, from post-commercial sign-off through to launch and post-launch stabilisation. Working cross-functionally with NPD, Technical, Quality, Engineering, Operations, and suppliers, the NPD Process Lead ensures that new and updated products are manufacturable, compliant, cost-effective, and robust at scale.
Key Accountabilities
* Act as the process expert for the NPD team across all manufacturing locations, including internal factories and third-party manufacturers (inc international sites)
* Own the process development phase of NPD and EPD projects, from process handover following product and commercial sign-off through to launch and stabilisation
* Ensure manufacturing processes are fit for purpose, scalable, compliant, and commercially viable
* Lead and approve process design, control strategies, and validation for all new and changed products
* Provide process input, costing, feasibility assessment, and risk identification at each stage of the product development gate process
* Ensure effective handover of new processes into Operations, supported by clear documentation, training, and controls
* Drive continuous improvement of NPD process development ways of working, identifying EPD and value engineering opportunities
Key Responsibilities
NPD & EPD Process Ownership
* Be involved end-to-end in the product development gate process, ensuring process requirements, risks, costs, and timelines are fully considered
* Translate product, quality, and commercial requirements into robust manufacturing process designs
* Own the process workstream for NPD and EPD projects, managing activities from handover to launch
Process Design, Trials & Validation
* Plan, coordinate, and lead factory trials, including pilot, scale-up, pre-production, and first production runs
* Define trial objectives, success criteria, data requirements, and process acceptance standards
* Analyse trial data and confirm process capability, repeatability, and readiness for launch
* Oversee pre-production and first production runs, ensuring consistency, quality, and control
Equipment & Technology Development
* Work closely with Operations and Engineering to specify, trial, and validate new equipment or process technologies required for NPD projects
* Work with procurement and operations to trial and complete assessment of new equipment, helping drive down cost and lead times
* Support commissioning and industrialisation of new equipment where linked to new products
* Research and develop new production methods and process capabilities to enable future innovation
Supplier & Third-Party Collaboration
* Work with suppliers and third-party manufacturers to develop, trial, and validate new processes and materials, in collaboration with the Technical team
* Ensure all supplier and third-party process documentation and evidence is complete, accurate, and aligned with Tofoo standards
Documentation & Compliance
* Own the creation and approval of process specifications, control plans, and process-related SOP content for NPD and EPD products
* Collect and manage supporting trial documentation required for QAS packs, ensuring information is accurate and ready for customer presentation
* Work with the Technical team to ensure QAS documentation is complete, amended as required, and approved prior to launch
* Ensure all processes meet food safety, regulatory, and BRC requirements
* Work with cross functional teams to ensure systems are accurate and updated ahead of launch
Communication & Project Management
* Provide regular, clear communication to key stakeholders on project progress, risks, and timelines
* Manage the process development timeline, ensuring tasks are completed on time and risks are escalated appropriately
* Act as the process lead within cross-functional project teams
* Support delivery of customer showcases, gate approvals and product validations
Post-Launch & Continuous Improvement
* Support and attend post-launch reviews, assessing process, quality, and market performance
* Lead process optimisation during the post-launch stabilisation phase
* Identify and deliver EPD (product and packaging), value engineering, cost reduction, yield improvement, and efficiency opportunities along withprocess technicians
* Capture learnings from launches and embed them into future NPD projects
Interfaces & Working Relationships
* NPD Team
* Technical & Quality Teams
* Operations & Engineering
* Process Technicians
* Third-Party Manufacturers
* Equipment, ingredient, and process suppliers
* Procurement
Note: The NPD Process lead provides technical direction to Process Technicians on NPD-related activities but does not have direct line management responsibility.
Skills, Experience & Capabilities
Essential
* Strong experience in food manufacturing process development
* Proven experience leading factory trials, scale-up, and product launches
* Solid understanding of process control, validation, and food safety requirements (e.g. BRC)
* Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority
* Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Desirable
* Experience working with third-party manufacturers
* Exposure to value engineering, cost reduction, or yield improvement projects
* Familiarity with NPD stage-gate processes
* Project management experience or qualification
* Culinary experience as a chef, development chef or developer
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Language:
* English (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person