We are working exclusively with an excellent food business in London to support them with the appointment of an experienced NPD Manager.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong NPD professional to take ownership of product development projects from concept through to launch within a dynamic and innovative environment. The role will also involve leading and developing an NPD team while working closely with commercial, operations and technical teams to deliver high-quality products to market.

Candidates with experience in food manufacturing and ideally chilled category will be particularly well suited to this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new food products from concept through to launch
• Manage multiple NPD projects and ensure delivery against agreed timelines
• Oversee and improve internal product development processes and project management systems
• Work cross-functionally with operations, commercial, technical and supply chain teams
• Support the translation of customer briefs into commercially viable products
• Build strong working relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
• Monitor market trends, consumer insights and competitor activity
• Conduct benchmarking and identify opportunities for product innovation
• Manage, mentor and develop members of the NPD team

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a commercially minded NPD professional with strong leadership capability and a passion for product innovation.

Experience

• Proven experience in food product development within a manufacturing environment
• Strong project management experience delivering successful product launches
• Experience working with customers or retailers on product development projects
• Previous experience leading or mentoring NPD teams

Key Skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong organisational and project management ability
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance creativity with operational requirements
• Ability to analyse market trends and identify product opportunities
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment