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Overview
NPD Manager — Location: Watford (2 Days) & London (1 Day) – Hybrid • Contract: Full-Time | Permanent
Bring your passion for sweet treats and innovation to the brand that’s built on joy. At Krispy Kreme, we’re on a mission to be the most loved sweet treat brand and our iconic, melt in the mouth doughnuts are at the heart of that.
We’re looking for a bold, creative, and commercially savvy NPD Manager to lead the future of our food and drink innovation. This is a hands on, high impact role where you’ll shape our product calendar, influence strategy, and bring irresistible new ideas to life from trend to tray.
Responsibilities
* Lead innovation with autonomy; back ideas that are viable and aligned with the brand.
* Collaborate with global food manufacturers and suppliers.
* Shape a brand new team and development kitchen at the heart of our Watford Manufacturing site.
* Work across accelerator brands and big launches, where pace and creativity go hand in hand.
* Deliver projects with agility from 6 month concept-to-launch cycles to 2 month accelerators.
The Opportunity
As NPD Manager, you’ll:
* Take ownership of our innovation calendar, leading everything from core range improvements to bold new campaigns and seasonal LTOs.
* Lead key projects including sugar reduction / HFSS reformulation and our 2026 innovation workshop with senior leadership.
* Balance creativity with commercial rigour, ensuring every product excites customers, delivers on brand, and works operationally.
* Be hands-on in our development kitchen, recipe testing, experimenting, and presenting gold standard prototypes.
* Partner closely with Brand, Ops, Supply Chain, Technical, and Commercial, ensuring every concept is feasible, food safe, and scalable.
* Build and develop your own team, mentoring a Product Developer while setting up processes for long term success.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for a resilient, influential leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and loves rolling up their sleeves as much as setting strategy. Someone who brings energy, passion, and gravitas to the table, and can influencer internal and external stakeholders while inspiring collaboration.
* 7+ years’ NPD / culinary development experience (bakery, sweet treats, QSR, FMCG or similar)
* Track record of taking products from concept through to commercial launch
* Culinary/food science background (degree or hands-on expertise)
* Strong project management skills, comfortable balancing creativity with commercial and technical detail
* Experience coaching or leading junior talent
* A true foodie, curious about trends, flavours and formats from coffee culture to desserts
We’d particularly love to hear from people with backgrounds in Bakery brands, QSR, Coffee Chains or Sweet Treat FMCG innovators.
What we offer
* Competitive salary + 10% bonus
* 25 days’ holiday + bank hols (option to buy 5 more) + Sabbatical options
* Hybrid working (3 office / 2 home)
* Bupa private healthcare + wellbeing support
* Discounts & vouchers for everyday spending, travel, shopping and more
* 5% pension contribution (3% employer match)
* 50% off doughnuts & 30% off drinks in-store
Ready to create joy?
This is your chance to take your NPD expertise into a brand that’s iconic, fast moving and fearless with innovation. You’ll shape the future of our doughnut and beverage experiences and bring moments of joy to millions. Apply now and help us keep our customers wondering what’s next!
Note on role postings: This page may include related postings; only Krispy Kreme UK & IRE opportunities relevant to this role are listed above.
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