New Product Development Manager in Oldham

Join Inspired Global Cuisine (IGC), a frozen ready meal manufacturer based in Gorton, East Manchester. We are an ambitious company who have grown significantly over the last 2 years, now producing over 1 million meals a week and continue to grow. This growth includes a re-location to a brand new 369 thousand square foot site in Chadderton, Oldham in early 2026 where we plan to double our volume over the next few years.

We believe in manufacturing excellence - delivered by our brilliant people, innovative products and continuous improvement. We achieve this by working within our core values of being accountable, creative, open and as a team. We have high standards and encourage our colleagues to be autonomous and authentic to drive our business forward. With a supportive environment, we encourage personal and professional development too. You’ll work cross functionally and collaboratively, always strive to be the best and even have some fun along the way.

About the role:

We are looking for a creative, ambitious and driven NPD Manager to play a significant role in our continued success and growth. If you’re passionate about food and people, have good experience in a similar role and want to join a growing business then this role could be for you!

Role Summary:

• Play a pivotal role in driving our new product development initiatives within the food manufacturing sector.
• Be the driving force for the business innovation strategy from generation through to delivery.
• Owner of the end-to-end critical path for product development from concept through to launch.
• Work closely with our customer, site teams and parent company to ensure an engaged, accountable and aligned team committed to delivering successful launches.

Key Accountabilities:

• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with senior management to develop and execute the NPD strategy aligned with company goals and market trends.
• Market Analysis: Work alongside the commercial team to conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify consumer trends & Insights, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities in the food industry.
• Product Development: Lead the end-to-end product development process ensuring business stakeholder commitment.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with operations, procurement, and process to coordinate activities and ensure seamless execution of NPD projects.
• Continuous Improvement: Create and drive an annual NPD continuous improvement agenda.
• Project Management: Develop project timelines, milestones, cost strategies, and oversee project execution to ensure on-time delivery within budgetary constraints.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with technical & process development to establish and maintain product quality standards, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and customer expectations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and internal teams, to gather feedback, address concerns, and drive continuous improvement.
• Customer Satisfaction: Build proactive relationships with customers, striving for a first to market mentality. Facilitate ideation workshops, utilise supplier knowledge through regular showcases, build market knowledge and consumer insights.
• Buying: Work with the site buying team to drive the process of ordering ingredients and packaging with quality and cost in mind.
• Housekeeping: Ensure accurate completion of all paperwork, administration and reports on time as required by the business.
• Business Commitment: Support and carry out any other reasonable requests as requested by your line manager.

Key skills required to be successful:

• Passion for food, creativity, and a desire to raise the bar for products retailed by all retailers, understanding the principle of ‘value for money’ in doing so.
• Degree educated, with time in industry, so arrives with relevant experience and a good sense of what is required from the role.
• Numerate, literate and a good communicator, as this role will liaise with many different functions and businesses.
• Personal characteristics: highly motivated and accountable self-starter, with a robust and tenacious attitude, great communication skills and a sense of fun.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills building open co-operative relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Proficient IT skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Team player with the ability to work autonomously.
• Confidentiality and professionalism in all undertakings.
• Approachable, flexible, and methodical - keen attention to detail.
• Determined, enthusiastic and positive with a keen interest in food and product development.