NPD Project Manager - 16 month FTC

NPD Project Manager - 16 month FTC

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting product development projects in the beauty or FMCG industry.
  • Company: Join Kao, a purpose-driven company with a rich history and commitment to sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a fixed-term contract with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that values integrity, innovation, and making a positive impact.
  • Qualifications: Degree required; 2-3 years experience in project management within beauty or FMCG.
  • Other info: Kao is recognised as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 19 years.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people\’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.

As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves on being listed among the World\’s Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

Kao in London (Currently playing)

Duration: 12:00

We are seeking a NPD Project Manager with experience in beauty or FMCG to lead the delivery of new and existing product development projects. This role is responsible for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet commercial objectives. This is a fixed-term contract until October 2026.

Key Responsibilities

  • Project Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams and external vendors across all phases of project delivery, ensuring alignment to cost, timing, and quality targets.
  • Stakeholder Management: Communicate clearly and consistently with internal and external stakeholders. Document and escalate key risks and issues as needed.
  • Project Planning: Develop and maintain high-level and detailed project timelines. Ensure plans are current and reflect actual progress.
  • Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify risks, implement mitigation strategies, and escalate critical issues with clear recommendations for resolution.
  • Scope & Change Control: Define project scope at initiation and manage any changes through formal change control processes.
  • Process Compliance & Improvement: Ensure adherence to development governance. Identify root causes of issues and propose process improvements.
  • Post-Launch Review: Lead post-project evaluations to capture lessons learned and inform future initiatives.

Required Skills & Experience

  • Degree or equivalent qualification
  • Project Management certification (Prince2, PMP, or equivalent)
  • 2–3 years’ experience in the beauty or FMCG industry
  • Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
  • Proficient in Microsoft Project, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills across all levels of the business

Molton Brown is part of Kao, founded in Japan in 1887. Kao is passionate about making a difference in people\’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and the planet. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

How we work: Having been recognized among the World\’s Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a purpose-driven company with strong values. We prioritize quality and sustainability, crafting products with care for consumers and the environment. At Kao, employees actively shape their careers, working collaboratively to achieve common goals and deliver the best for our customers.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces diversity and individual personalities, believing that diversity strengthens us. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and regions.

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to discover why 33,000 people worldwide chose a career with us, please visit

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NPD Project Manager - 16 month FTC employer: AFM - Association Française du Marketing

Kao is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to quality and sustainability, making a meaningful impact on both consumers and the planet. With a strong corporate culture rooted in integrity and innovation, employees are encouraged to grow and collaborate within a diverse environment that values individual contributions. Located in London, this role as NPD Project Manager offers the opportunity to lead exciting projects in the beauty sector while being part of a company consistently recognised among the World’s Most Ethical Companies.
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Contact Detail:

AFM - Association Française du Marketing Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land NPD Project Manager - 16 month FTC

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Kao's corporate philosophy, the Kao Way. Understanding their values of integrity, innovation, and respect will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing that you are a good cultural fit.

Tip Number 2

Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional teams and projects in the beauty or FMCG sectors. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you successfully led projects, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the NPD Project Manager role.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your proficiency with project management tools like Microsoft Project and your experience with risk management strategies. Being able to articulate how you've used these tools effectively in past roles will set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 4

Research recent product launches by Kao and Molton Brown. Being knowledgeable about their latest offerings and how they align with consumer needs will show your genuine interest in the company and its mission, making you a more compelling candidate.

We think you need these skills to ace NPD Project Manager - 16 month FTC

Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Risk Management
Change Control
Process Improvement
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Communication Skills
Time Management
Microsoft Project Proficiency
FMCG Industry Knowledge
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Post-Launch Evaluation
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Company Values: Familiarise yourself with Kao's corporate philosophy, the Kao Way. Highlight how your personal values align with their commitment to integrity, innovation, and respect in your application.

Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects relevant experience in project management within the beauty or FMCG industry. Emphasise your skills in managing multiple projects and your proficiency in tools like Microsoft Project and Excel.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for product development and your understanding of the role. Mention specific examples of past projects where you led cross-functional teams and managed stakeholder communications.

Highlight Relevant Certifications: If you have any project management certifications such as Prince2 or PMP, make sure to mention them prominently in your application. This will demonstrate your qualifications and commitment to professional development.

How to prepare for a job interview at AFM - Association Française du Marketing

Understand the Kao Way

Familiarise yourself with Kao's corporate philosophy, the Kao Way. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with their commitment to integrity, innovation, and respect. This will show that you are not just interested in the role but also in the company's mission.

Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Highlight your experience in managing multiple projects, especially in the beauty or FMCG sectors. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've led cross-functional teams and delivered projects on time and within scope.

Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions

Since stakeholder management is crucial for this role, think of instances where you've effectively communicated with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you handled conflicts or escalated issues, demonstrating your strong communication skills.

Discuss Risk Management Strategies

Be prepared to talk about how you've identified risks in past projects and the strategies you implemented to mitigate them. This will showcase your proactive approach and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for the NPD Project Manager role.

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