New Product Development Manager FMCG in City of London

is a fast-growing UK food manufacturer based in West London, specialising in indulgent, premium frozen and ambient products — including gelato bites, cookie dough skillets, and baked goods. We are a passionate, entrepreneurial team that moves quickly, cares deeply about product quality, and is committed to clean-label and vegan innovation. This is a pivotal moment in our growth and we are looking for an exceptional NPD leader to help shape what comes next.

As NPD Manager, you will own the end-to-end new product development process across our full portfolio — from initial concept through to commercial launch. Better for you Cookies, Cookie dough and frozen gelato bites innovation is at the heart of this role: you will lead the development of new formats, flavour extensions, and high-protein product lines that excite buyers and delight consumers.

You will work closely with our Operations, Technical, and Commercial teams, and serve as the primary NPD contact for key retail and foodservice partners in both the UK and US. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role requiring creative ambition, rigorous technical grounding, and the commercial fluency to bring profitable products to market.

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead end-to-end NPD for cookie dough, enrobed gelato bites, and product extensions — from brief to factory launch
• Drive innovation in vegan, gluten-free, clean-label, and high-protein product development in line with UK and US market trends
• Develop and present compelling product concepts and range proposals to major retail buyers across the UK and internationally
• Oversee sensory evaluation, factory trials, freeze-thaw testing, and shelf-life programmes for ambient and frozen formats
• Build and manage relationships with ingredient and packaging suppliers to support NPD requirements and cost targets

Pipeline & Project Management

• Manage and track the full NPD pipeline, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within cost targets, and to brief
• Conduct costing and margin analysis for new products in partnership with Operations and Finance
• Maintain robust stage-gate documentation and project tracking from concept to launch

Regulatory & Technical

• Collaborate with Technical and Regulatory teams to ensure full compliance across all new products for UK FIR 2014, EU 1169/2011, and US FDA labelling and allergen requirements
• Ensure new products meet gluten-free, vegan, and free-from claims with appropriate substantiation
• Support HFSS assessments, claim calculations, and retailer-specific technical requirements as needed

Commercial & Stakeholder

• Liaise with the Commercial team to support new business development, buyer presentations, and showcasing of Doughlicious capabilities
• Prepare submission samples for ranging windows as needed

4+ years of NPD experience within a food manufacturing environment, ideally in frozen, chilled, or bakery/confectionery categories. Proven track record presenting NPD to major UK grocery retailers (M&S, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, or equivalent). Strong food technology foundation: ingredient functionality, shelf-life principles, freeze-thaw stability, and allergen management. Excellent project management skills: able to run multiple concurrent briefs without compromising quality or timelines. A genuine passion for food, flavour, and innovation in the free-from and better-for-you space. Experience working with US retail buyers or knowledge of FDA labelling requirements. Experience working with external co-manufacturers or third-party development partners. Exposure to gelato, ice cream, different frozen dessert formats. Experience with Whole Foods, Costco, or natural/speciality retail channels. No bonus available.