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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting new product development from concept to launch in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a long-established, family-run food manufacturer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, ownership of projects, and a chance to see your products on shelves.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and influence in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming ideas into successful products that consumers love.
- Qualifications: Experience in food NPD, strong recipe development skills, and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A long-established, privately owned and family run food manufacturing business is seeking a talented New Product Development Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for an NPD professional who enjoys transforming concepts into commercially successful products that perform consistently in a manufacturing environment.
The Role
This position offers full responsibility for the company’s NPD and product renovation programme. From initial idea generation through to launch, you’ll oversee the entire development lifecycle, ensuring products are commercially viable, technically robust, and operationally deliverable. Working alongside senior leaders and cross-functional teams, you’ll combine creativity with structure, delivering innovation that meets specification, timescales, and production requirements. The business operates in a fast-moving environment and values clarity, accountability, and practical execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end new product development and existing product improvement projects
- Develop and refine recipes in a hands-on capacity within the development kitchen
- Manage and lead factory trials, scaling products from concept to repeatable production
- Partner closely with Operations, Technical, and Commercial teams to manage risk and resolve challenges
- Oversee a structured NPD pipeline, ensuring clear priorities, deadlines, and ownership
- Work collaboratively with suppliers on ingredients, functionality, and cost efficiency
- Monitor market trends, consumer insight, and competitor activity, converting findings into commercially sound product opportunities aligned to both customer demand and manufacturing capability
About You
- Demonstrable experience in food manufacturing NPD, ideally within chilled and/or ambient categories
- Proven track record of delivering products from concept through factory trial to launch
- Strong practical formulation and recipe development skills, with a hands-on approach
- Commercial awareness, including understanding of ingredient functionality, cost pressures, and customer expectations
- Highly organised, delivery-focused, and comfortable managing multiple projects in a dynamic environment
- Confident communicator with sound judgement and a commitment to standards and execution
Working Pattern
Full-time is preferred; however, the business is open to considering a three- or four-day working week for the right individual. This opportunity would suit someone seeking genuine ownership, visibility, and influence rather than a purely desk-based NPD position.
For more information, please contact Alexander Steele Recruitment in confidence.
NPD Manager in Falkirk employer: Alexander Steele
Contact Detail:
Alexander Steele Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager in Falkirk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food manufacturing events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your NPD projects, including successful launches and any innovative recipes you've developed. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s products and market position. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in terms of managing product development from concept to launch.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting NPD roles waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager in Falkirk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for NPD: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for New Product Development shine through. Share specific examples of how you've transformed ideas into successful products in the past. We want to see your creativity and how you can bring that to our team!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and any relevant projects you've led. We love seeing candidates who take the time to align their skills with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the NPD Manager role. We appreciate clarity and want to understand your journey without sifting through fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Steele
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the entire new product development lifecycle. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in transforming concepts into successful products, especially in a manufacturing context. Highlight specific examples where you’ve led projects from idea generation to launch.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Skills
Since this role requires practical formulation and recipe development skills, prepare to talk about your hands-on experience in the kitchen. Bring along any relevant samples or documentation that demonstrate your ability to refine recipes and manage factory trials effectively.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Research current market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activities in the food manufacturing sector. Be ready to discuss how you can convert these findings into commercially viable product opportunities that align with customer demand and manufacturing capabilities.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
As a confident communicator, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you’ve collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past, managing risks and resolving challenges. This will show your potential employer that you can thrive in a fast-moving environment.