At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting food and drink projects from concept to supermarket shelves.
- Company: Join itsu, a fast-growing brand revolutionising healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry with innovative products.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in project management and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Ideal Candidate
- 4+ years experience in project management of new product launches within the food & drinks industry
- Driven and ambitious with the energy to work within a rapidly growing business that is constantly evolving
- Extremely organised
- Strong time management skills
- Creative thinking
- Passion for food and beautiful designs
- Attention to detail
- Commercial acumen
- Line management experience
About Us
itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-in-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
itsu [grocery], which this role falls under, takes the itsu brand into supermarkets, health food stores, online, wholesale and internationally with products such as crispy seaweed thins, frozen gyoza & bao, brilliant broth, rice noodles & miso easy to name a few…
D&I Statement
itsu [grocery] is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for all of our opportunities.
When applying for a role with us, please remove your: full name, name of University/School, address, email address and any photos of you on your CV and covering letter. Non-anonymised CVs may not be reviewed.
Scope Of The Role
itsu [grocery] is looking for a Senior NPD manager to oversee all ambient packaged food & drink development from concept to launch. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding project management skills, a true passion for food as well as strong commercial awareness.
- Directly manages or supervises all ambient NPD and EPD projects from concept ideation to launch on supermarket shelves
- Ensures all projects follow the gate process and are delivered:
- On time
- On brand
- On budget
- Identifies and/or manages new/existing suppliers up until launch
- Conducts commercial negotiations and establishes accurate theoretical COGs for all NPD & EPD
- Keeps track and analyses food and lifestyle trends, new products launches and categories performance
- Interacts closely with the technical, marketing, supply chain and finance teams to ensure all the deadlines set are met
- Finds, understands and delivers new opportunities
- Maintains all the stakeholders (internal and external) adequately informed
- Manages one direct report
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Competitive bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
- Health insurance
- Company pension scheme
- Hybrid working (1 day wfh)
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops
- Free itsu lunch
- Discounts at major retailers
- A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development
Senior NPD Manager in London employer: itsu
itsu is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on creativity and innovation within the fast-paced food and drinks industry. With a commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and a generous benefits package including health insurance and hybrid working options, itsu fosters an inclusive environment where diverse talents can flourish. Join us in our mission to redefine fast food with healthy, Asian-inspired offerings while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food and drinks industry, especially those who work at itsu or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your favourite food trends or product ideas. This will demonstrate your creativity and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching itsu’s latest products and innovations. Being knowledgeable about their offerings will impress the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in the brand.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the itsu team and ready to contribute to our exciting growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPD Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your creativity and passion for beautiful designs in the food and drinks industry.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:Make sure your CV and cover letter are well-structured and free of errors. We appreciate attention to detail, so double-check everything before hitting send. A tidy application reflects your organisational skills!
Highlight Your Project Management Skills:Since this role is all about managing new product launches, be sure to showcase your project management experience. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully led projects from concept to launch in the past.
Apply Anonymously Through Our Website:Remember to follow our guidelines by removing personal details from your CV and cover letter. We want to focus on your skills and experience, so apply through our website to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends in food and drink, especially those relevant to itsu's product range. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences with new product launches and how you managed them from concept to shelf.
✨Show Off Your Project Management Skills
Prepare specific examples that highlight your project management expertise. Talk about how you’ve successfully delivered projects on time, on brand, and on budget, and be ready to explain the processes you followed.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Understand the financial aspects of product development. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve conducted commercial negotiations and established accurate costs of goods sold (COGs) in your past roles.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Since this role involves close interaction with various teams, show your collaborative side. Share examples of how you’ve worked with technical, marketing, supply chain, and finance teams to meet deadlines and achieve project goals.
