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
Contact Detail:
Associ8 Solutions Recruiting Team
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager
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.