At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food product development from concept to launch, collaborating across teams.
- Company: Dynamic food manufacturer focused on nutritious and convenient products for modern lifestyles.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on creativity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while working with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are a forward-thinking food manufacturer creating delicious, nutritious, and convenient products designed for modern lifestyles. Our focus is simple: to deliver food that feels good, tastes great, and fits seamlessly into everyday life. With ambitious growth plans and the experience to back them up, we combine big-company capability with a grounded, hands-on culture. Collaboration, openness, and a shared drive to succeed sit at the heart of how we work. Everyone plays a role, and every idea has the potential to make an impact.
Purpose of the Role
As NPD Manager, you will lead the end-to-end innovation and product development agenda, driving both new product launches and improvements to the existing range. Working cross-functionally, you’ll bring ideas to life—collaborating closely with marketing, category, and culinary teams to build an exciting pipeline of products that excite customers and consumers alike. This is a hands-on, high-impact role. You’ll take ownership from early concept through to factory scale-up and commercial launch, ensuring every product meets the highest standards of quality, cost efficiency, and feasibility.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Leadership
- Lead projects through a structured Stage & Gate process from concept to launch
- Manage timelines, risks, and deliverables to ensure projects land on time and in full
- Own and maintain project documentation and reporting for senior stakeholders
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve challenges quickly
- Product Development
- Translate insights into commercially viable, consumer-led product concepts
- Partner with culinary teams to refine product briefs, recipes, and costings
- Oversee trials, approvals, and scale-up into manufacturing
- Ensure products deliver on taste, quality, and operational efficiency
- Innovation Pipeline
- Build and maintain a rolling 3-year innovation pipeline aligned to business goals
- Lead product renovation initiatives to keep the range competitive and relevant
- Identify opportunities for both branded and customer-led development
- Factory & Launch Delivery
- Manage the transition from kitchen concept to factory production
- Support trials and first production runs, ensuring smooth execution
- Work closely with technical, supply chain, and procurement teams
- Oversee successful handover to production post-launch
- Commercial & Technical Alignment
- Track and communicate the financial impact of development decisions
- Ensure accurate documentation for specifications and pack copy
- Drive post-launch reviews to capture learnings and optimise performance
- Team Development
- Lead and develop a direct report, supporting growth and capability
- Build development plans and share knowledge across the wider business
- Champion market awareness through trend insights and competitor benchmarking
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in food manufacturing and product scale-up
- A strong track record of delivering end-to-end NPD projects
- Commercially aware with the ability to turn insight into action
- Confident communicator who thrives in cross-functional environments
- Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable in a fast-paced setting
- Hands-on knowledge of ingredients, processes, and food labelling
- A proactive mindset with a strong sense of ownership
- Passion for food and continuous improvement
New Product Development Manager in Northampton employer: Blakeney Point Search & Selection
As a forward-thinking food manufacturer, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to make a real impact. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to employee development, we offer unique opportunities for career advancement while ensuring a supportive environment where every idea is valued. Located in a vibrant area, our team enjoys the perfect blend of big-company resources and a hands-on approach, making it an excellent place for those passionate about food and product development.
Contact Details:
Blakeney Point Search & Selection Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land New Product Development Manager in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who work in product development. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your love for creating delicious and nutritious products. Talk about trends you’ve noticed and how you can contribute to their innovation pipeline. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your project leadership stories. Think of specific examples where you’ve led NPD projects from concept to launch. Be ready to discuss challenges you faced and how you collaborated with cross-functional teams to overcome them. We want to see your hands-on experience!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Keep an eye on our careers page for the latest opportunities in product development!
We think you need these skills to ace New Product Development Manager in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm for creating delicious and nutritious products. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Talk about specific NPD projects you've led, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This helps us understand your hands-on experience and how you can contribute to our team.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:Since we thrive on teamwork, make sure to mention your experience working cross-functionally. Share examples of how you've collaborated with marketing, culinary, or technical teams to bring ideas to life. We love seeing how you can fit into our culture!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. And don’t forget to apply through our website – it’s the best way to get your application in front of us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blakeney Point Search & Selection
✨Know Your Product Development Process
Familiarise yourself with the Stage & Gate process and be ready to discuss how you've successfully led projects through it. Highlight specific examples where you managed timelines, risks, and deliverables to ensure projects were completed on time.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience working with different teams, like marketing and culinary. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to facilitate collaboration and resolve challenges quickly, as this role heavily relies on teamwork.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss how you've turned consumer insights into viable product concepts in the past. Bring examples of how you’ve tracked the financial impact of development decisions and how that influenced your product strategies.
✨Passion for Food is Key
Let your enthusiasm for food shine through during the interview. Talk about trends you've noticed in the industry, your hands-on knowledge of ingredients, and how you stay updated on competitor activities. This will show that you're not just qualified but genuinely passionate about the role.
