At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting NPD projects from concept to launch in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a growing food business that values innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and a supportive team culture with career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with diverse teams and influence product direction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product development and shape the future of food innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in food product development and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 € per year.
Location: Wiltshire
Salary: £45,000 plus Bonus
Hours: Monday to Friday
Are you an NPD Manager who enjoys turning ideas into finished products that work commercially, technically and operationally? A growing food manufacturing business is looking for an NPD Manager to lead one of its development streams, managing a Development Technologist and taking ownership of key NPD projects from concept through to successful launch. This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing creativity with pace and delivery. You will work closely with category, factory, technical and commercial teams to ensure products are not only exciting and relevant, but also achievable at scale. If you are looking for a position where you can lead projects, support others and see your work make a real impact, this is a strong opportunity to do so.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Take the lead on NPD projects, managing the full lifecycle from concept through to launch
- Lead one of the development streams, supporting and guiding Development Technologists
- Translate ideas and briefs into viable products that meet operational, quality and cost requirements
- Work closely with category teams to understand opportunities, trends and future range direction
- Plan and execute kitchen work, factory trials and product scale up activity
- Manage critical paths, deadlines and launch requirements across multiple projects
- Work closely with factory teams to ensure smooth scale up and successful product delivery
- Collaborate with Technical, Production and Commercial teams to align product and process
- Review and refine existing products to improve quality, efficiency and customer appeal
- Identify gaps and opportunities within the range, contributing to future product direction
- Present concepts, progress and outcomes clearly to stakeholders across the business
- Support continuous improvement within the development function
What’s In It for You
- Opportunity to take ownership of meaningful product development projects
- A senior role leading a development stream and managing a direct report
- Strong cross functional exposure across NPD, category, technical, factory and commercial teams
- Involvement in shaping product range, future launches and wider innovation pipeline
- A business investing in its products, people and manufacturing capability
- Exposure to a growing operation with ongoing site investment and future capacity plans
- Clear opportunity to develop and progress within a stable, long-term environment
- Supportive and collaborative team culture with a strong mix of experienced people and new talent
- Company bonus and a wider employee benefits package
Your Background
- Experience within food product development in a manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of how products move from kitchen concept to factory production
- Experience managing NPD projects, critical paths, deadlines and launches
- Comfortable working at pace and managing multiple projects at once
- Experience running or supporting factory trials and product scale up
- Commercially aware, with the ability to work closely with category and wider stakeholders
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence different teams
- Creative and foodie, but practical enough to deliver products that work operationally
- Food science or related qualification would be beneficial, but hands-on development experience is more important
- Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
- Genuine interest in food, product quality and innovation
Join a Business That Invests in You
You will be joining a business that is focused on developing its product offering, improving capability and continuing to invest in its future. This is an opportunity to lead meaningful projects, work closely with multiple teams and play a key role in delivering products that meet both customer and business expectations. With continued growth across its core markets, ongoing investment into manufacturing capability and a team that combines long-standing knowledge with fresh thinking, this is an environment where you can build a strong long-term career. If you are looking for a role where you can influence product direction, develop your career and be part of a business that values innovation and delivery, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and get in touch with Kimia at Found Food and Drink.
NPD Manager - Food in Bradford-on-Avon employer: Found Food & Drink
Join a dynamic food manufacturing business in Wiltshire that prioritises innovation and employee development. As an NPD Manager, you will lead impactful projects while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a supportive culture that values creativity and operational excellence. With ongoing investment in both products and people, this role offers clear pathways for career progression and the chance to make a real difference in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager - Food in Bradford-on-Avon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work in NPD. Attend events, join online forums, 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
Showcase your creativity! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring along examples of your past projects. Talk about how you turned ideas into successful products and how you managed the whole process from concept to launch.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you’re interested in, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website and express your interest in NPD roles. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current trends in food product development. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their innovation pipeline and improve product quality. Show them you’re not just a foodie, but someone who can deliver results!
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager - Food in Bradford-on-Avon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Talk about your experiences in food product development and how they’ve shaped your understanding of what makes a product successful. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about the industry.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Share specific examples of NPD projects you've managed, highlighting your role in taking ideas from concept to launch. This helps us see how your skills align with what we’re looking for in an NPD Manager.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the job description. Use keywords from the posting, like 'collaborate', 'manage critical paths', and 'support continuous improvement'. This shows us that you understand the role and are ready to hit the ground running!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we love a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Share your personality, but also ensure your application reflects your serious interest in the position. 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 Found Food & Drink
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the entire NPD process, from concept to launch. Brush up on your knowledge of how products transition from kitchen trials to factory production, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of NPD projects you've managed. Highlight how you handled critical paths, deadlines, and any challenges you faced. This will show that you can juggle multiple projects while keeping everything on track.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Since you'll be collaborating with various teams, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Prepare to present concepts and outcomes effectively, as strong communication skills are key to influencing stakeholders across the business.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Food Innovation
Let your enthusiasm for food and product quality shine through. Share your thoughts on current trends and how they could influence future product development. This will help convey your genuine interest in the role and the industry.
