NPD Manager

NPD Manager

Ellesmere Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product development in chilled protein, driving innovation from concept to launch.
  • Company: Leading food manufacturer known for scale and innovation in the protein sector.
  • Benefits: Opportunity to shape strategy, collaborate with teams, and drive consumer-led innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in food innovation and work with top retailers.
  • Qualifications: Experience in NPD within chilled food manufacturing and strong communication skills.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with a reputation for quality and growth opportunities.

We’re working with a leading food manufacturer in the chilled protein sector, known for its scale, innovation, and strong retailer partnerships. They’re currently seeking a commercially astute NPD Manager to lead product development across beef and added-value categories, driving innovation from concept to launch. This is a high-impact role with visibility across retail and foodservice channels, offering the opportunity to shape category strategy, lead cross-functional projects, and deliver commercially viable, consumer-led innovation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end NPD across chilled beef and protein categories
  • Manage concept development, factory trials, and launch readiness
  • Collaborate with Commercial, Technical, and Operations teams to ensure feasibility and compliance
  • Engage directly with retail customers to present concepts and manage feedback
  • Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform pipeline development
  • Support continuous improvement across NPD processes and critical path management

Candidate Profile

  • Proven experience in NPD within chilled food manufacturing (protein experience preferred)
  • Strong understanding of retailer expectations, stage-gate processes, and commercial viability
  • Confident communicator with cross-functional leadership skills
  • Passionate about food innovation and consumer trends
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business with scale, ambition, and a reputation for quality. If you’re ready to lead innovation in a dynamic protein category, we’d love to hear from you.

NPD Manager employer: Associ8 Solutions

Join a leading food manufacturer in the chilled protein sector, where innovation and quality are at the forefront of our mission. We foster a collaborative work culture that values creativity and encourages professional growth, offering employees the chance to lead impactful projects and engage directly with key retail partners. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a dynamic environment, this role as NPD Manager provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of our product offerings while being part of a respected industry leader.
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Contact Detail:

Associ8 Solutions Recruiting Team

We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager

NPD Management
Chilled Food Manufacturing
Concept Development
Factory Trials Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Retail Customer Engagement
Market Trend Analysis
Competitor Activity Monitoring
Continuous Improvement
Critical Path Management
Stage-Gate Processes
Commercial Viability Assessment
Communication Skills
Leadership Skills
Passion for Food Innovation

How to prepare for a job interview at Associ8 Solutions

✨Know Your NPD Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the end-to-end NPD process, especially within the chilled protein sector. Brush up on your knowledge of concept development, factory trials, and launch readiness so you can confidently discuss how you’ve successfully managed these stages in your previous roles.

✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen

Prepare to demonstrate your understanding of retailer expectations and commercial viability. Think of specific examples where you’ve aligned product development with market trends and consumer needs, as this will show that you can drive innovation effectively.

✨Communicate Like a Pro

As a confident communicator, you’ll need to engage with various teams and retail customers. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely, and be ready to discuss how you’ve led cross-functional projects in the past. This will highlight your leadership skills and ability to collaborate.

✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends

Research current market trends and competitor activity in the chilled protein sector before your interview. Being able to discuss these insights will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re proactive about informing pipeline development and continuous improvement.

NPD Manager
Associ8 Solutions
Location: Ellesmere

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