Head of NPD

Head of NPD

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Artisan People

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead new product development for a vibrant British fragrance brand from concept to launch.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing fragrance house with a passionate following and exciting products.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic team culture focused on creativity and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Be the driving force behind innovative fragrances that captivate and inspire.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in NPD within fragrance or beauty, with strong leadership and technical skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Join a British fragrance house and own the full NPD function within a fast-growing, experience-led brand with a passionate following and an exciting product portfolio.

The Role

  • Set the strategic direction for new product development and own the end-to-end pipeline, from concept ideation through to launch across fine fragrance, home fragrance and adjacent categories.
  • Lead a talented team, drive cross-functional delivery and act as the brand's guardian of product quality, compliance and innovation.
  • Set the long-term NPD vision and roadmap in close partnership with Marketing, defining category, format and white space opportunities across a 3 to 5 year horizon.
  • Champion a disruptive innovation agenda, leading horizon-scanning sessions, innovation sprints and bold concept development.
  • Brief and manage external fragrance houses, overseeing scent submissions, formulation development, stability testing and technical sign-off.
  • Lead bespoke bottle, component and tooling development from concept through to production, providing hands-on technical expertise throughout.
  • Own full project management including critical paths, costings, bill of materials, margin analysis and launch delivery.
  • Oversee the artwork process from briefing through to regulatory compliance and final approval.
  • Maintain master product documentation, physical archives and the packaging library as the single point of reference across all departments.
  • Own product compliance including PIF, CPSR and safety assessments across all selling markets.
  • Place first purchase orders for all NPD products and coordinate raw material and component procurement through to delivery.
  • Build, coach and develop the NPD team, setting clear objectives and growing capability in line with the brand's ambitions.
  • Act as the central NPD contact across Marketing, Retail, Ecommerce, Supply Chain and external partners.

How You'll Dazzle Us

  • You bring at least seven years of NPD experience within fragrance, beauty or personal care, including senior or Head of NPD-level ownership of an end-to-end pipeline.
  • You have a proven track record of disruptive, category-challenging innovation and the leadership skills to build teams that sustain it.
  • Your hands-on technical expertise in mould and tooling development, combined with strong regulatory knowledge and sharp commercial acumen, sets you apart.
  • You are highly organised, confident with numbers and genuinely passionate about fragrance and beauty.

What's Next

Apply via the form below and one of our team will be in touch.

Head of NPD employer: Artisan People

Join a dynamic British fragrance house that champions innovation and creativity, offering a vibrant work culture where your ideas can flourish. As the Head of NPD, you will not only lead a talented team but also have the opportunity to shape the future of our exciting product portfolio in a fast-growing environment. With a strong focus on employee development and collaboration across departments, this role provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the perks of working in a passionate and experience-led brand.

Artisan People

Contact Details:

Artisan People Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Head of NPD

New Product Development (NPD)
Strategic Direction Setting
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Product Quality Assurance
Innovation Management
Fragrance Formulation Development
Technical Expertise in Mould and Tooling Development