At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation strategy and oversee new product development from concept to launch.
- Company: Fast-growing drinks brand with a creative and dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Early finish Fridays, fresh lunches, and epic launch parties.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the beverage industry and drive exciting new products.
- Qualifications: Experience in NPD within FMCG or beverages and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: HQ, Swansea
Department: Innovation / Product Development
Reporting to: Supply Chain Director
Role Overview
The Head of New Product Development will lead the company’s innovation strategy and product pipeline, overseeing the development and launch of new products across spirits, RTDs, and future beverage formats. This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end innovation process, from concept generation and market insight through to factory trials, commercial launch, and post-launch performance. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with marketing/brand, supply chain, legal, finance and commercial teams to ensure new products are delivered at pace, at the right cost, and aligned with brand strategy. This is a hands-on leadership role within a fast-growing drinks brand, requiring a combination of creativity, operational knowledge, and strong project management.
Key Responsibilities
- Innovation Strategy
- Define and lead the company’s innovation roadmap and NPD pipeline.
- Identify opportunities for new flavours, limited editions, product formats, and packaging innovations.
- Translate brand and commercial strategy into a structured innovation pipeline.
- Monitor consumer trends, emerging ingredients, and competitor activity within the spirits and RTD markets.
- Product Development
- Lead the end-to-end development of new products, from concept through to commercial launch.
- Oversee formulation, flavour development, packaging innovation, and product trials.
- Manage the transition from development to production, ensuring smooth scale-up with manufacturing partners.
- Ensure products meet quality, regulatory, and brand standards.
- NPD Pipeline & Project Management
- Manage a structured stage-gate innovation process from concept to launch.
- Maintain clear project timelines, milestones, and deliverables across multiple NPD projects.
- Coordinate factory trials, packaging approvals, and production readiness.
- Ensure NPD projects are delivered on time and aligned with launch plans.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Work closely with Marketing/Brand to translate creative ideas into viable products.
- Partner with Supply Chain to ensure production feasibility and launch readiness.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain to source ingredients, packaging, and new suppliers.
- Support the Commercial team with product knowledge, innovation presentations, and customer discussions.
- Costing & Commercial Viability
- Ensure all new products are developed in line with target cost of goods and margin expectations.
- Work with supply chain and finance to validate product costings.
- Identify opportunities to optimise product specifications and packaging costs.
- Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration
- Work closely with co-packers and production partners to develop and scale new products.
- Lead factory trials and production readiness processes.
- Ensure manufacturing partners meet required standards and timelines.
- Team Leadership
- Lead and develop the NPD team – currently 2 people.
- Ensure clear ownership of projects and accountability for delivery.
- Support the professional development of team members.
Key Deliverables
- Delivery of a structured innovation pipeline aligned with company growth strategy.
- Successful launch of new products and formats into market.
- Efficient NPD processes that enable rapid product development and launch.
- Continuous innovation within flavours, formats, and packaging.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in New Product Development within FMCG, beverages, or spirits.
- Proven experience managing product launches from concept through to production.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and working with co-packers.
- Experience managing multiple NPD projects simultaneously.
- Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Commercial awareness with strong understanding of product costing and margin requirements.
Desirable
- Experience within spirits, RTDs, or alcoholic beverage categories.
- Experience launching products in retail and on-trade markets.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the alcohol industry.
Personal Attributes
- Creative thinker with a passion for innovation.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Able to work at pace within a fast-growing brand.
- Strong communicator and team leader.
- Crisis Management Skills.
- Emotional Intelligence.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced agile environment.
- Commercially minded with strong decision-making ability.
What you’ll get
- Early Finish Fridays 4pm.
- Fresh lunches prepared daily by our in-house chef.
- State-of-the-art office with onsite parking.
- Companywide "win together" bonus scheme.
- Your birthday off.
- Epic launch parties and team events.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
We move fast. We think big. We back our people. If you’re ready to help take a brand from Wales to the world, Au Vodka is the place to be. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Head of New Product Development (NPD) in Swansea employer: Au Vodka
At Au Vodka, we pride ourselves on being more than just a drinks brand; we are a dynamic movement that fosters creativity and innovation in a fast-paced environment. As a Key Account Manager, you will enjoy the benefits of a high-growth FMCG company with global ambitions, including an early finish on Fridays, fresh lunches prepared by our in-house chef, and a supportive culture that values your contributions. With opportunities for personal and professional growth, along with a companywide bonus scheme, joining Au Vodka means being part of a team that is dedicated to making a significant impact in the spirits industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Product Development (NPD) in Swansea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for innovation! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas and insights about new product trends. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent product launches and innovations. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their NPD pipeline. Tailoring your conversation to their specific needs shows you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Product Development (NPD) in Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of New Product Development role. Highlight your experience in FMCG and product launches, as we want to see how you can lead our innovation strategy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about innovation in the beverage industry and how your creative thinking can contribute to our NPD pipeline. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role involves managing multiple NPD projects, be sure to include examples of your project management experience. We love seeing how you've successfully led projects from concept to launch in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Au Vodka
✨Know Your Innovation Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's current product offerings and their innovation strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their NPD pipeline and bring fresh ideas to the table. Show them you understand their brand and market positioning.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Since this role involves managing multiple NPD projects, come armed with examples of your past project management successes. Highlight how you've led projects from concept to launch, ensuring timelines and deliverables were met. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact.
✨Understand Cross-Functional Collaboration
This position requires working closely with various teams. Be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share examples of how you've successfully partnered with marketing, supply chain, and finance to bring products to market efficiently.
✨Be Ready for Creative Problem Solving
As a creative thinker, you’ll need to showcase your ability to solve problems on the fly. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to think critically about product development challenges. Demonstrating your innovative mindset will set you apart.
