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- Tasks: Lead product innovation and development in a dynamic food business.
- Company: Join a well-established food company focused on growth and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, health support, and onsite perks like subsidised meals.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food innovation in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG product development and strong commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with major UK retailers and drive impactful change.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We've partnered with a well-established food business on a key hire to support their continued growth. They're looking for an NPD Manager to take the reins on driving innovation across short- and long-term product pipelines, with a focus on added value, blue sky thinking, and category-led development.
Reporting into the Senior Manager for Insights, NPD & Marketing, this role sits at the heart of a collaborative commercial function, working cross-functionally with category, procurement, technical, and commercial teams. You'll be responsible for owning customer relationships, spearheading innovation strategy, and delivering commercially viable NPD/EPD solutions that align with retailer needs and business ambitions.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the development and execution of NPD, EPD, and innovation pipelines across customer portfolios
- Partner with the Category team to identify white space opportunities, build strategic plans, and bring consumer-driven products to life
- Own the gate process from concept to launch, managing timelines, stakeholder alignment, and cross-functional sign-off
- Drive internal benchmarking initiatives to monitor product and market performance
- Support commercial decision-making through robust margin analysis and cost-effective innovation
- Run Product Innovation Days, contributing to a culture of creativity, pace, and best-in-class standards
Ideal profile:
- Proven track record in product development within FMCG or fresh/chilled food
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to translate insights into product opportunities
- Creative thinker with strategic execution skills
- Experience working with major UK retailers and understanding of their development processes
- Comfortable managing multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
- Strong organisational and communication skills
What's on offer:
- Hybrid working with flexibility post-onboarding
- Access to internal L&D programmes
- Health and wellbeing support including Medicash & Wagestream
- Annual bonus scheme
- Onsite perks including subsidised meals, fruit pots, and modern facilities
- A business passionate about development and innovation
This is a brilliant opportunity to shape the innovation agenda at a high-growth, quality-led food business. If you're ready to make your mark in a fast-paced, creative environment-get in touch.
NPD Manager - Food employer: Allexo Search
Contact Detail:
Allexo Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager - Food
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food innovation and product development. This will not only help you understand the market better but also allow you to speak confidently about how your ideas can align with the company's goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those who have experience with major UK retailers. Building these connections can provide valuable insights into the industry and may even lead to referrals for the NPD Manager position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed product development projects in the past. Highlight your ability to drive innovation and collaborate with cross-functional teams, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of the gate process from concept to launch. Be ready to explain how you would manage timelines and stakeholder alignment, as this will demonstrate your organisational skills and readiness for the fast-paced environment.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager - Food
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in product development, particularly within FMCG or fresh/chilled food. Emphasise your track record of driving innovation and managing multiple stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, showcase your creative thinking and strategic execution skills. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully brought consumer-driven products to life and your understanding of UK retailers' development processes.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your commercial acumen and ability to translate insights into product opportunities. Discuss your experience with internal benchmarking initiatives and how you've supported commercial decision-making in previous roles.
Show Enthusiasm for Innovation: Express your passion for innovation and development in the food industry. Mention any relevant projects or initiatives you've led that contributed to a culture of creativity and best-in-class standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Allexo Search
✨Showcase Your NPD Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in product development, particularly within the FMCG or fresh/chilled food sectors. Highlight specific projects where you successfully led innovation and how those experiences can translate to the role.
✨Understand the Retail Landscape
Familiarise yourself with major UK retailers and their product development processes. Demonstrating knowledge of their needs and how your strategies can align with their goals will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with different departments. Discuss how you managed stakeholder relationships and drove projects forward in a team environment.
✨Prepare for Creative Problem-Solving
Expect questions that assess your creative thinking and strategic execution skills. Prepare to discuss how you've identified white space opportunities and brought consumer-driven products to life, showcasing your ability to think outside the box.
