Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product innovation and improvements for delicious sauces and gravies.
- Company: Join a respected manufacturer in West Yorkshire known for quality products.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to work in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food products while collaborating with top flavour houses.
- Qualifications: Experience in NPD/EPD, especially with sauces and Private Label products required.
- Other info: Full-time, permanent role with opportunities for hands-on kitchen trials.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 67000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Salary: £50000-£60000 p/a
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Reporting to: General Manager
About the Opportunity
Are you a results-driven EPD/NPD professional with a flair for creating and enhancing delicious, high-performing products? Do you excel in fast-paced environments where attention to detail and pragmatic decision-making are essential? If so, we’d love to connect with you. We’re working with a respected manufacturer in West Yorkshire, seeking an experienced EPD/NPD Manager to lead innovation and improvement across their core range of gravy and savoury sauces, with a particular emphasis on Private Label products.
Role Overview
As EPD/NPD Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the product portfolio. You’ll be responsible for driving quality, efficiency, and cost improvements, ensuring all products meet the latest legislative and customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of the EPD pipeline: respond to customer briefs, lead recipe upgrades, and manage cost-saving initiatives
- Collaborate with top flavour houses to source and trial new ingredients
- Oversee recipe reformulation and updates, ensuring technical compliance and business continuity
- Manage artwork changes, product set-ups, and internal systems
- Conduct kitchen trials and support scale-up in the factory with a hands-on approach
- Serve as the technical point of contact for internal teams and customers
- Work closely with Commercial and Category teams to ensure product development aligns with business strategy
About You
- Proven experience in NPD/EPD within sauces, dry mixes, or savoury categories
- Strong background in Private Label product development
- Detail-oriented, with excellent project and change management skills
- Confident in managing technical documentation and working with flavour houses
- Process-driven, pragmatic, and focused on delivering results
EPD Manager employer: Blakeney Point Search & Selection
Contact Detail:
Blakeney Point Search & Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land EPD Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who have experience in EPD/NPD roles. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in product development.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific products and brands of the company you're applying to. Understanding their current offerings and any recent innovations can help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in detail, particularly any successful projects related to EPD/NPD in sauces or similar categories. Highlight your role in these projects and the impact they had on product quality and customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the food industry. Being able to speak confidently about how you ensure products meet these standards will set you apart as a candidate who understands the importance of quality and safety.
We think you need these skills to ace EPD Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in EPD/NPD, particularly within sauces or savoury categories. Use specific examples that demonstrate your project management skills and your ability to drive product innovation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for product development and detail how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the EPD Manager role. Mention your experience with Private Label products and your approach to managing technical documentation.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as successful product launches or cost-saving initiatives you've led. This will help illustrate your results-driven mindset and your ability to deliver high-performing products.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for the EPD Manager position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blakeney Point Search & Selection
✨Showcase Your NPD/EPD Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous roles in new product development (NPD) or existing product development (EPD). Highlight specific projects where you successfully led innovation, particularly in sauces or savoury categories, as this will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Since the role requires a detail-oriented approach, share examples of how you've managed technical documentation and ensured compliance with legislative requirements. This will show that you understand the importance of precision in product development.
✨Discuss Collaboration with Flavour Houses
Talk about your experience working with flavour houses to source and trial new ingredients. Providing concrete examples of successful collaborations can illustrate your ability to innovate and enhance product offerings.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments. Prepare to discuss how you've handled challenges in past projects, particularly those involving recipe reformulation or cost-saving initiatives, to demonstrate your pragmatic decision-making abilities.
