New Product Development Manager (Food Sector)

My client is a successful, imaginative and ambitious food company delivering innovative products to their customers. The company is growing rapidly, and they are looking for a highly skilled New Product Development Manager to join the team and help create exciting new products. They are a tight knit team of which you will play a crucial role. They will be looking to you to be an expert on the latest trends in global eating habits, cuisines and ingredients – always hungry to learn and share the latest findings with the team to inspire the company's future direction. An understanding of customer trends and insights plus commercial knowledge is important as is your ability to frame trends into what’s right for them now and in the future. This is a hands on role that covers both EPD and NPD with a focus on the development and delivery of innovation pipelines for the company. Job Summary: The New Product Development Manager will be responsible for leading the development of new food products from concept to launch. You will be required to work closely and have direct contact with Suppliers and Customers. This role involves working with cross-functional teams (both in-house and external) including R&D, Marketing, Quality Assurance, and Operations to develop and commercialize new products that meet customer needs and company objectives. Key Responsibilities: * Lead cross-functional teams to develop and launch new food products that meet customer needs and company objectives. * Ability to create and develop Private Label, Licenced and Own Label product ranges. * Conduct market research and analyse trends to identify new product opportunities. * Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful product launches. * Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Quality Assurance, and Operations to ensure products meet regulatory and quality standards. * Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and external partners. * Work closely with Sales and Marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies for new products. * Stay up-to-date with industry trends, technologies, and competitors to drive innovation and continuous improvement. Qualifications: * 5+ years of experience in new product development in the food or drinks industry. * Track history of successful delivery of New Product Pipeline. * Ability to work in an agile, fast paced environment. * Strong project management skills and experience. * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. * Real passion for food innovation within a commercial setting. * Knowledge of food regulations, food safety, and quality standards. * Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously. They offer a competitive salary and benefits package. If you are passionate about food innovation and want to join a dynamic and growing company, please submit your resume and for consideration. Only relevant candidates will be contacted