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