Are you ready to create products that perform where it really matters – in the machine, on the menu, and at pace?
Advocate Group is proud to represent a leading food and beverage manufacturer, in their search for an NPD Manager – Hospitality & Foodservice to join their R&D team based in Haydock.
The Business:
· A key player in the OOH, vending, and foodservice space, powering everyday consumer “Moments in Demand.”
· Home to well-known back-of-house brands including Milfresh, Freshers, and Shmoo.
· Strong growth ambitions within Foodservice, Hospitality, and Vending, with innovation at the heart of their strategy.
· A collaborative, hands-on culture that values real-world application over theory alone.
The Role:
We’re looking for a candidate who can make their mark by bringing culinary thinking into technical product development. Here’s how:
· Lead application-led NPD for the OOH channel, ensuring products perform in real-world equipment and professional kitchens.
· Develop “menu-ready” solutions – signature serves, seasonal beverages, and dessert concepts – not just ingredients or powders.
· Optimise and extend existing back-of-house brands through new applications, formats, and usage ideas.
· Act as the technical expert on vending, bean-to-cup, café, slush, soft serve, and other OOH equipment.
· Translate foodservice and high-street trends into commercially viable product opportunities.
· Deliver projects from concept to launch, balancing sensory quality, speed to market, and cost-per-serve targets.
· Support Sales teams with customer presentations, demos, and “Perfect Serve” training materials.
About You:
· Strong OOH / Foodservice background
· Culinary or chef-led mindset – experience in a professional kitchen, coffee environment, or foodservice.
· Degree-qualified in Food Technology, Culinary Arts with Science, or equivalent industry experience.
· Practical understanding of commercial food and beverage equipment and how formulations behave in-use.
· Confident working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and external partners.
· Commercially minded, with a clear understanding of OOH margin, speed of service, and operational constraints.
Benefits:
· Competitive salary and clear progression within a growing OOH-focused R&D function.
· Hands-on test kitchen and customer-facing exposure.
· Opportunity to shape high-impact products used daily across vending, hospitality, and foodservice.
If the role and responsibilities sound like a good fit for you, then I’d love to speak to you.
Find out more about our available opportunities or how we can help you further your career – contact us today.
Please get in touch with Ciara or click “Apply Now” to be considered for this vacancy.
Call: 020 7871 8000
Email: Ciara\"
Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer product sectors.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.