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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: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment with a focus on creativity and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG product development and strong commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of food products and work with major UK retailers.
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.
Desired Skills and Experience: NPD, Innovation
NPD Manager - Food (Kent) employer: Allexo Search
Contact Detail:
Allexo Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager - Food (Kent)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the food industry, especially those who have experience in NPD. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in product development.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the major UK retailers and their product development processes. Understanding their needs and how they operate will give you an edge when discussing your ideas and strategies during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your creativity and strategic thinking by developing a mock NPD project. This could involve identifying a gap in the market and proposing a product that aligns with current consumer trends, demonstrating your ability to innovate.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional teams and stakeholder relationships. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully navigated these dynamics in previous roles, as collaboration is key in this position.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager - Food (Kent)
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. Use specific examples that demonstrate your track record in innovation and managing NPD projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food innovation and how your skills align with the role. Mention your experience with UK retailers and your ability to translate insights into actionable product opportunities.
Showcase Your Creativity: Since the role requires blue sky thinking, consider including a brief section in your application that outlines a unique product idea or innovation strategy you have developed in the past. This will demonstrate your creative thinking skills.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: Emphasise your experience in managing multiple stakeholders in fast-paced environments. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive product development and innovation.
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 in the past. This will show your ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive projects forward.
✨Prepare for Creative Problem-Solving
Expect questions that assess your creative thinking and strategic execution skills. Think of scenarios where you identified white space opportunities or developed consumer-driven products, and be ready to discuss your thought process and outcomes.
