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- Tasks: Lead and inspire the NPD team to create innovative food products.
- Company: Join a dynamic food and beverage company with a focus on creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by developing exciting new recipes and concepts.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in product development and strong food safety knowledge required.
- Other info: Flexible travel opportunities and a vibrant work environment await you.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 65000 £ per year.
Salary: up to £65,000 per annum
Hours: Monday – Friday
Reporting to: Head of NPD
Responsibilities
- Manage, mentor, and support the development of the NPD Team.
- Deputise for the Head of NPD as required, supporting leadership continuity across the department.
- Develop new recipes in collaboration with the Head of NPD, both internally and with flavour houses, in response to customer briefs.
- Translate market trends into commercially viable concepts, both for branded projects and proactive customer proposals.
- Adapt recipes to meet factory requirements and support the scale-up and optimisation of manufacturing processes.
- Manage multiple product development projects from concept through to launch, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to specification.
- Create and maintain detailed project timelines (critical paths) to drive accountability and transparency across departments.
- Coordinate and manage all product trials and first productions, ensuring successful handover to operations.
- Attend and contribute to customer and supplier meetings, responding to queries and supporting ongoing development projects.
- Present new product concepts and final developments to customers.
- Write and approve finished product specifications in accordance with customer and legal requirements.
- Review and approve product artworks, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.
- Support the supplier and raw material approval process where necessary.
- Ensure all development work is conducted in full compliance with BRCGS requirements, customer standards and relevant food legislation.
- Remain up to date with food industry regulations and act as a member of the HACCP team.
- Maintain accurate production documentation for all products, including management of case and pallet label controls.
- Gather and review production data from trials and launches to support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Conduct regular benchmarking and research into market trends, emerging ingredients, and evolving consumer preferences.
- Use insight to inform NPD pipeline planning and inspire new concept creation.
- Flexibility to travel to customers, suppliers, or manufacturing sites as required by the role.
Requirements
- 5+ years’ experience in a development role
- Level 4 HACCP and Level 4 Food Safety within Manufacturing qualifications
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience of working with retailers and/or brands.
- Be able to prioritize where applicable and work to deadlines.
- A good knowledge of the manufacturing process.
- Knowledge of food safety regulations, including HACCP and BRC requirements
- Ability to use specification systems and software for managing technical documents.
- Provide technical support to enable the business to meet food safety, legality, and specific customer requirements.
Location: Knaresborough, England, United Kingdom
New Product Development Manager employer: Imperial Recruitment Group
Contact Detail:
Imperial Recruitment Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land New Product Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local food and beverage events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in new product development. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your past successes in managing product development projects. Highlight your ability to adapt recipes and meet customer briefs – that’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace New Product Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the New Product Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in managing product development projects and working with food safety regulations. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about product development and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don't forget to mention any specific achievements that relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing and mentoring a team, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've supported your team in the past and how you can bring that same energy to StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial Recruitment Group
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of new product development. Familiarise yourself with recent trends in the food and beverage industry, especially those relevant to the company. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a New Product Development Manager, you'll be managing and mentoring a team. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or project. Highlight your ability to support leadership continuity and how you can step in for the Head of NPD when needed.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Compliance
Understanding food safety regulations is crucial for this role. Brush up on BRCGS requirements and HACCP principles. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would approach it in this position.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle multiple product development projects, manage timelines, and coordinate trials. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process during the interview.
