At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting NPD projects from concept to launch in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join BBF Limited, a top UK cake and dessert manufacturer with a fun culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and access to 100+ training courses.
- Other info: Experience a vibrant workplace with fun events and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team creating delicious products that customers love.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in FMCG, strong leadership skills, and a food-related qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
- NPD Manager (Fixed Term Contract)
- Competitive Salary
- 12 month fixed term contract
- BBF Limited
- Hull
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to join our passionate and dedicated development team on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract.
This customer‑facing role involves leading a key retailer account, managing a small team, and travelling as required.
Food manufacturing or retailer experience is essential for this role.
If you’re passionate about product development, love eating cake, and are looking for the opportunity to be part of a large and dynamic development team, we’d love to hear from you.
The role of NPD Manager for BBF
- Lead and own the end‑to‑end delivery of NPD projects, from test bakery and concept development through to full‑scale factory trials, scale‑up and successful launch across the group portfolio.
- Provide clear technical and commercial direction on new raw materials, recipe development and factory trials, working closely with Operations, Process and Site Technical teams.
- Drive the development of commercially viable and operationally achievable products that meet customer briefs, retailer standards, quality expectations and site capability.
- Own project critical paths, proactively managing risks, escalations, decision points and stakeholder alignment to ensure delivery on time and in full.
- Ensure all projects are delivered through the PLM process with strong governance, clear controls, compliant documentation and effective launch readiness.
- Act as an NPD subject matter expert, applying sound judgement and product development expertise to guide projects from brief to launch to a consistently high standard.
- Build, influence and maintain effective cross‑functional relationships, ensuring alignment, pace and clear communication across key departments.
- Line manage at least one direct report, setting direction, delegating effectively, supporting development and ensuring workload priorities are clearly understood and delivered.
- Lead day‑to‑day engagement with key strategic customers, taking ownership of communication, expectations and issue resolution.
Represent the business with credibility and professionalism during customer submissions, site visits and meetings, including travel to BBF sites and customer head offices as required.
- Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Minimum of five years’ experience within an FMCG environment, ideally with responsibility for managing complex NPD projects.
- Educated to degree level, or able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience.
- Food‑related qualification or relevant food industry experience is desirable.
- Proven track record of leading product development activity from brief through to launch within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
- Recent experience of managing, coaching and developing individuals or teams, with the ability to set direction and drive delivery.
- Full driving licence required, as regular travel forms part of the role.
- A highly motivated and commercially aware individual with strong leadership, coaching and team‑building capability, demonstrating pace, ownership, sound judgement and effective ways of working.
- Able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced and pressurised environment, balancing competing priorities, making informed decisions and maintaining momentum to deliver results on time and in full.
- Works collaboratively and with initiative, influencing across functions, coaching and mentoring others, and role‑modeling the BBF ways of working.
Who are BBF Limited?
BBF Limited are one of the UK’s leading ambient cake and chilled dessert manufacturers of retailer own label, licensed and branded cakes, supplying recognisable major retailers across the UK and European market.
Our team of experts develop and manufacture a wide range of high‑quality ambient cake products across several different categories including celebration cakes, mini rolls, mince pies, fruit pies and a wide range of chilled desserts including cheesecake, crumbles and sponge cakes.
These include mince pies, celebration cakes, slab cakes, cupcakes and many more!
We are passionate about our products and aim to put the customer at the heart of everything we do.
With recent investment and acquisitions taking us to nearly 1,400 direct employees, this is an exciting time to join BBF Limited!
We are continually looking to grow, but we can only do that with exceptional talent across all levels and disciplines of the business.
That is where you come into it!
On top of making some delicious cakes and desserts, we do a lot of fun stuff too!
Whether that be Christmas fun days, pancake‑flipping competitions, Red Nose Day events or odd‑sock days, you’ll be coming to work smiling.
What benefits do we offer?
- Financial
- Competitive Salary
- 4x Life Assurance/Death in Service Benefit
- Health & Wellbeing
- 25 days holiday per annum (plus statutory holidays)
- 24/7 Access to a GP
- 24/7 Bereavement Support
- Personal & Professional Development
- Dedicated in‑house Learning & Development/Training team
- Online training platform with access to 100+ training courses
- A few other bits
- Quarterly and Yearly BBF Star Awards – recognising those who have gone above and beyond!
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
NPD Manager employer: Bright Blue Foods Limited
Bright Blue Foods Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Hull that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development and encourages a culture of inclusivity and teamwork. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while the strategic role of IT Director ensures that you will be at the forefront of driving technological advancements across multiple sites, making a meaningful impact on the organisation's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like Bright Blue Foods Limited face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at Bright Blue Foods Limited.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like Bright Blue Foods Limited during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at Bright Blue Foods Limited. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to Bright Blue Foods Limited immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and Bright Blue Foods Limited – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bright Blue Foods Limited
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with Bright Blue Foods Limited. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to Bright Blue Foods Limited's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
