Ob Title: New Product Development (NPD) Manager Location: Central Belt, Scotland Salary: Circa £55,000 per annum About Us: We are a dynamic and growing ambient food business based in the heart of Scotland's Central Belt, passionate about creating high-quality, innovative food products. We pride ourselves on our commitment to flavour, quality, and consumer satisfaction, serving both retail and potentially foodservice markets. As a small but ambitious company, we offer a unique opportunity to make a significant impact and shape our future product portfolio. The Role: We are seeking an experienced and passionate New Product Development (NPD) Manager to lead our product innovation pipeline from concept to launch. This is a crucial role for our business, requiring a hands-on approach and a strong understanding of ambient food manufacturing processes. You will be instrumental in identifying market trends, developing exciting new recipes, and bringing them to life while ensuring all technical, commercial, and operational requirements are met. Key Responsibilities: Lead the End-to-End NPD Process: Manage the entire product development lifecycle from initial ideation, concept generation, recipe development, factory trials, through to successful product launch. Customer Facing - This is a major part of this position Market & Consumer Insight: Conduct thorough market research, competitor analysis, and consumer trend analysis to identify new product opportunities and ensure our offerings remain innovative and relevant. Recipe & Product Development: Develop and refine new product recipes, ensuring they meet sensory, nutritional, cost, and shelf-life requirements for ambient products. Technical & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all new products comply with relevant food safety regulations, quality standards (e.g., HACCP, BRCGS), and internal specifications. Draft and sign off on product specifications and documentation. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams including Production, Technical, Commercial, Sales, and Marketing to ensure seamless communication, alignment, and successful project delivery. Supplier Management: Liaise with ingredient and packaging suppliers to source high-quality, cost-effective materials, managing relationships and ensuring supply chain efficiency. Cost Management: Develop and maintain accurate costings for all new products, ensuring profitability and adherence to commercial targets. Project Management: Manage multiple NPD projects concurrently, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for product improvements, cost reductions, and process efficiencies within the NPD function. Taste Panels & Presentations: Organise and lead taste panels, gathering feedback and presenting new products to internal stakeholders and external customers. If you are a driven and innovative NPD professional looking for an exciting challenge within a dynamic ambient food business in Scotland, we encourage you to apply! Requirements Skills & Experience: Proven experience (minimum 3-5 years) in a New Product Development role within the food manufacturing industry, A relevant degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline. Strong understanding of ambient food processing, food safety, and quality assurance principles (e.g., HACCP, BRCGS). Excellent project management skills with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. Highly creative with a genuine passion for food and an ability to translate ideas into commercially viable products. Strong commercial awareness and understanding of the retail landscape. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels. Proactive, resilient, and hands-on approach to problem-solving. Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite. Benefits What We Offer: A competitive salary of circa £55,000 per annum. The opportunity to play a pivotal role in a growing Scottish food business. A collaborative and supportive working environment where your ideas are valued. The chance to innovate and make a real impact on our product range. Opportunities for professional growth and development.