Job Description
Job title: NPD Manager
Location: Cheshire - 5 days a week on-site
Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 + Benefits
We’re partnering with a well-established ambient food manufacturer to recruit an NPD Manager.
This is a senior, high-impact role responsible for leading end-to-end product development across own label and branded ranges - from concept through to launch and lifecycle optimisation. You’ll play a key part in shaping innovation strategy while ensuring products are technically robust, commercially viable and delivered at pace.
The Role
Reporting into the Sales Director and working cross-functionally across Commercial, Technical, Operations and Procurement, you will:
* Define and deliver the product development and innovation strategy aligned to business growth objectives
* Lead a balanced innovation pipeline including renovation, line extensions and breakthrough concepts
* Manage stage-gate processes, feasibility and risk assessment
* Lead complex development projects through factory scale-up and launch
* Act as the senior technical authority on formulation and processing
* Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality and regulatory standards
* Own product costings, margin targets and value engineering initiatives
* Partner with Commercial teams on positioning, claims and launch readiness
* Influence senior stakeholders and external partners
* Develop and mentor a high-performing NPD team
About You
We’re looking for someone with:
* Extensive experience in food product development and commercialisation
* Strong food science and processing expertise, with proven scale-up capability
* Deep knowledge of food safety, quality systems and regulatory compliance
* Strong commercial acumen with ownership of cost and margin performance
* Experience leading cross-functional teams and complex projects
* A strategic, consumer-led mindset and the ability to operate at pace
Salary & Benefits
* £60,000 – £65,000 basic salary
* Generous company pension scheme
* 22 days holiday + bank holidays
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.