NPD Lead in Leek

NPD Lead

West Midlands | Full-Time | Site Based

Are you an experienced product developer with a passion for innovation in the supplements and ingredients sector?

We're recruiting an NPD Lead to join a growing, ambitious manufacturer supplying innovative nutritional ingredients and supplement solutions to customers across the UK and internationally.

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of the innovation pipeline, lead new product development from concept through to commercial launch, and play a key role in shaping the future of a fast-growing business.

The Role

As NPD Lead, you'll be responsible for driving innovation across the business, developing commercially successful formulations and leading the product development process from initial concept through to launch.

Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Technical, Supply Chain and Finance, you'll ensure products are innovative, commercially viable, regulatory compliant and delivered on time.

You'll also be responsible for creating a culture of innovation, identifying emerging market opportunities and supporting customers with technical expertise and product solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end new product development process from concept to commercial launch.
• Develop innovative supplement and ingredient formulations aligned with customer and market requirements.
• Manage and prioritise the NPD pipeline in line with commercial objectives.
• Work closely with Sales and Marketing to develop commercially attractive, high-margin product opportunities.
• Deliver product cost optimisation and value engineering initiatives.
• Provide technical support to customers throughout development projects.
• Ensure all products meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Work alongside Finance to assess project profitability and support pricing decisions.
• Identify emerging ingredients, technologies and market trends to strengthen the innovation pipeline.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead customer innovation meetings and factory visits.
• Manage, coach and develop the NPD team.
• Drive collaboration across Technical, Operations, Supply Chain and Commercial functions.
• Continuously improve NPD processes, governance and speed to market.
• Support sustainability initiatives within product development.
• Manage departmental budgets and development priorities.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with commercial awareness and enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You’ll ideally have:

• 5+ years' experience within New Product Development, Product Development or Food Technology.
• Experience developing formulations within supplements, functional nutrition, food ingredients or blended powder manufacturing.
• A degree or HND in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition or a related discipline (or equivalent industry experience).
• Strong formulation and recipe development experience.
• Proven experience taking products from concept through to commercial launch.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance innovation, cost and operational feasibility.
• Strong leadership skills with experience coaching and developing technical teams.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset and a genuine passion for innovation.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within nutritional supplements, sports nutrition, health foods or functional ingredients.
• Knowledge of powder blending and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with retailer, private label or branded products.
• Experience implementing sustainability initiatives within product development.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to lead innovation within a growing supplements and ingredients business.
• Work with a collaborative and highly experienced leadership team.
• Genuine autonomy to shape the innovation strategy.
• Career progression within an ambitious and expanding organisation.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you're an innovative NPD professional looking to make a real impact within a growing supplements manufacturer, we'd love to hear from you.