Blue Spark Organisation Ltd | Head of NPD (Food)

The Company

This well-established food business have it all – the combination of stability / security and a great brand reputation balanced with a forward thinking, entrepreneurial approach. Culture and values are paramount to the success of the business and super important for the UK team of this global company.

To help drive their brands and business forward they are looking for a confident and highly capable Head of NPD to join the UK Head Office team.

Hybrid role – min of 2 days at the London office, with some UK and European travel.

The Role

This is an all-encompassing role where you will lead the Product Vision and Strategy to ensure that products are not only successful but fully align with the brands commitment to taste, health and sustainability. You’ll be optimising food standards and values, instilling a foodie culture and demonstrating creative flair that will delight discerning consumers.

You will challenge the status quo through product, packaging and technical innovation, highlighting new capabilities and shaping the future of the business. You’ll keep up to speed with new food / consumer trends, ingredients, packaging and technologies as well as the competitor landscape, so you can drive the innovation of on-trend products. This will be in collaboration with in-house NPD teams at European manufacturing sites as well as 3rd party partners, motivating them to deliver projects with energy and enthusiasm whilst ensuring costs parameters and technical requirements are met.

You will be required to brilliantly plan, manage and successfully deliver NPD projects from start to finish whilst effectively influencing, briefing and coordinating people cross-functionally at all levels to ensure clarity and alignment across project portfolio activity.

The Person

This role will suit a passionate and driven Senior NPD Manager with a Food Science degree as well as experience gained from a food manufacturing or food/drink brand environment.

We are looking for that special NPD professional who has strategic product development expertise, is insights driven with a consumer-centric approach, amazing project management skills – and to top it off, is also technically savvy. You can showcase how you have created, implemented and landed a successful innovation strategy for a food brand. You’ll be able to apply your knowledge of consumer trends and use an insight-led approach to land new opportunities that are on brand as well as competitive.

You’ll need to have experience of working with suppliers, manufacturing and cross-functional teams to continually raise the bar on product innovation. You will be a natural communicator, able to effectively manage and influence key stakeholders, building strong working relationships to deliver significant NPD projects.

If you think you have what it takes to help this brand leverage their presence in the UK market, blowing the competition away, then please get in touch.

Apply now or call Dhrutee on 0345 2600 737 // 07700 137 110 for more information.

Ref: L6833

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Due to the large number of applications our opportunities attract, it sometimes takes us time to thoroughly review and consider them all. We endeavour to respond to every application within 5 working days, however if you have not heard from us within this timeframe, we are sorry to say your application for the role has not been successful. To support you in showcasing your best self, we make sure that any necessary accommodations, whether physical or non-physical, are provided to assist you throughout the job application and interview process.

Also, please note that we are only able to accept and respond to applications from candidates with eligibility to work in the UK and those who hold valid work visas.