NPD Manager
Sector: Food Manufacturing
Location: East Midlands | Commutable from Kettering, Wellingborough, Market Harborough & surrounding areas
Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent | Onsite
Salary: To be discussed
Hours: Monday to Friday | Flexible start times
iSQ Recruitment are working with a trusted recruitment partner to support an ambitious and forward-thinking food manufacturer with their search for an NPD Manager. You will play a key role in shaping the next generation of innovative snack products.
This is an excellent opportunity for a food-focused NPD professional to take ownership of a varied portfolio of NPD and EPD projects, working across a broad range of snack products and formats.
* Please note:
- This is a fully site-based position with no hybrid working.
- Applicants must have full Right to Work in the UK as visa sponsorship is not available.
- A full UK driving licence and own vehicle are essential.
- Occasional travel to customer head offices may be required, with expenses covered.
The Role - NPD Manager
Key Responsibilities
- Manage multiple NPD and EDP projects from initial brief through to launch.
- Develop new products, flavours, coatings, shapes and formats across a range of snack products.
- Work directly with major retail customers, presenting concepts, prototypes and project updates.
- Manage customer expectations, handle objections and communicate effectively around project challenges or delays.
- Constructively challenge customer requirements where necessary.
- Work closely with Commercial, Category, Production and Technical teams to deliver successful projects.
- Identify opportunities through consumer, category and wider food industry trends.
- Ensure projects meet commercial, technical, quality and manufacturing requirements and remain on track against agreed timescales.
- Bring creative ideas and a genuine passion for food innovation to the development process.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Company Pension Scheme
- Flexible start times
- Monday to Friday working
- Expenses covered for occasional customer travel
- Ongoing investment in manufacturing and product development
- Employee recognition and development initiatives
- Death in Service
About You
- Proven experience in food manufacturing / food NPD.
- Strong customer-facing experience, ideally with major retailers or large food customers.
- Confident presenting to customers and explaining development decisions.
- Experience managing multiple NPD projects simultaneously.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Commercially aware and confident challenging requirements when necessary.
- Good understanding of food product development and manufacturing.
- Passionate about food, innovation and emerging consumer trends.
- Highly organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
Why This Role?
This is more than a traditional product development position. You'll have the opportunity to work on a high volume of live NPD and EDP projects, engage directly with major retail customers and influence the development of products across a broad and evolving snacking portfolio.
The business is continuing to invest significantly in its manufacturing capability, equipment and product development, creating an environment where new ideas and innovation are encouraged.
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NPD Manager employer: ISQ Recruitment Ltd
Join a leading automotive logistics operation in the Wolverhampton area, where your expertise as a Logistics Process Engineer will be valued and rewarded. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer 25 days of annual leave, a company pension, and recognition schemes to celebrate your contributions. Our collaborative work culture encourages innovation and improvement, making it an excellent environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced industry.
