New Product Development Manager
Location: Accrington, Lancashire
Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to GBP55,000 + benefits
Do you want to lead exciting food innovation projects for one of the UK s most recognisable names in chilled and frozen food manufacturing space?
We re hiring an NPD Manager to take charge of end-to-end product development, bringing both new and improved products to market. This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive and commercially minded food professional to shape product strategy within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
About the Company Our client is a long established UK food manufacturer, known for its heritage, trusted quality, and presence across major supermarkets. With deep roots in the North West, the business has a loyal consumer base and a strong commitment to innovation within savoury chilled and frozen food categories.
Operating with a lean structure and minimal red tape, they combine speed and autonomy with strong cross-functional collaboration, the perfect environment for a hands-on NPD expert ready to make an impact.
The Role Reporting to the Head of Commercial, you ll own the full NPD/EPD process, from kitchen concept and factory trials through to product launch. You ll work cross functionally with Technical, Engineering, Category, and Operations, managing timelines, documentation, packaging, and internal approvals.
This is a brilliant role for someone who enjoys working independently, thrives in a practical environment, and wants to deliver tangible results across branded and own-label portfolios.
Key Responsibilities Lead the end-to-end delivery of NPD and EPD projects
Chair weekly NPD meetings and manage project timelines
Develop and trial kitchen concepts based on trend insights and customer briefs
Manage costings, packaging approvals, and reheating/cooking validations
Collaborate with Technical on specs, QUID, HACCP and documentation
Coordinate internal tasting sessions and benchmarking
Support Capex project delivery with Engineering where applicable
Ensure all internal systems and stakeholders are aligned pre-launch
What We re Looking For Experience in food NPD, ideally within chilled/frozen manufacturing.
Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills
Confident working independently with minimal supervision
Hands-on mindset with attention to detail and commercial awareness
Excellent documentation and organisation capabilities
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; MS Project experience a plus
Experience with both own-label and branded ranges welcome
Why Join? Product Autonomy Own the full NPD process from idea to launch
Cross-Functional Exposure Collaborate across Technical, Commercial, Ops, and Engineering
Fast-Paced Agile environment with minimal bureaucracy
Make an Impact High visibility in a lean, innovation-focused team
Interested? 'Apply' below or email your CV to: (url removed)
The 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.
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