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- Tasks: Lead innovative product design for pet food, focusing on market trends and consumer needs.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to enhancing pet health through nutrition and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy creative freedom, collaboration with diverse teams, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of pet health innovation while working in a dynamic and passionate environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in product development, creativity, and a passion for pets are essential.
- Other info: Contact Luan at MorePeople for more details about this exciting opportunity.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Innovation & Concept Design Lead (NPD Front-End Focus)
Are you a visionary thinker with a passion for pets, nutrition, and cutting-edge product design? We\’re looking for an Innovation & Concept Design Lead (NPD) in pet food and treats – translating insights and trends into the next generation of products for dogs, cats, and small animals.
This is a unique opportunity to combine creativity, science, and strategy – shaping a pipeline of concepts that keep us at the forefront of pet health and wellbeing.
What You\’ll Do
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Front-End Innovation: Spot market gaps, consumer needs, and whitespace opportunities through research, trend analysis, and competitor scanning.
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Concept Development: Design and present compelling product concepts (briefs, prototypes, samples) that are nutritionally aligned and market-ready.
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Ingredient & Format Innovation: Explore and validate novel ingredients (functional, sustainable, alternative proteins) and formats (extruded, baked, semi-moist, artisanal).
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, NPD, Commercial, and Technical teams to bring ideas to life – from ideation through to scale-up.
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Supplier Engagement: Build relationships with ingredient suppliers and technology partners to source innovative solutions.
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Governance & Process: Own the stage-gate process from idea generation to handover, ensuring projects are feasible, compliant, and aligned with strategic goals.
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Future Technology: Identify and champion emerging technologies that keep us ahead of the curve in pet food innovation.
What We\’re Looking For
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3+ years\’ experience in product development or innovation (pet food or FMCG preferred).
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Strong grasp of regulations (FEDIAF, DEFRA, EU feed regulations).
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Creative thinker with concept storytelling and visualisation skills.
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Experience with semi-moist, baked, extruded, or multi-format technologies.
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Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
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Passion for pets and advancing pet health through nutrition.
Desirable:
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Degree in Food Science, Animal Nutrition, NPD< Product Design or related.
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Supplier or contract manufacturer experience.
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Knowledge of sustainability certifications (MSC, MarinTrust).
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Familiarity with premium/prescription or functional pet products.
For futher information, please contact Luan at MorePeople on 01780 480530
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Design Lead employer: MOrePeople
Contact Detail:
MOrePeople Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in pet nutrition and product design. Follow industry leaders on social media, read relevant publications, and attend webinars to stay updated. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about innovations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the pet food industry. Attend trade shows, conferences, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and mentors. Building these relationships can provide valuable insights and may even lead to job referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous work in product development or innovation. Include case studies that highlight your creative process, concept storytelling, and successful projects. This will demonstrate your capabilities and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's values and mission, especially regarding pet health and nutrition. Tailor your discussions during interviews to align with our goals, showing how your vision and experience can contribute to our innovative projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product development and innovation, especially in pet food or FMCG. Emphasise your understanding of regulations and any specific technologies you've worked with.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, showcase your passion for pets and nutrition. Discuss how your creative thinking and project management skills align with the role's requirements, and provide examples of past successes in concept development.
Showcase Your Concept Development Skills: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of previous product concepts you've developed. Highlight your ability to translate insights into market-ready products, focusing on your storytelling and visualisation skills.
Research the Company: Familiarise yourself with the company's values, mission, and recent innovations in pet health and nutrition. This will help you tailor your application and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at MOrePeople
✨Show Your Passion for Pets
Make sure to express your genuine love for pets during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your connection to animals, as this will resonate with the company's mission and values.
✨Demonstrate Your Innovation Skills
Prepare examples of past projects where you identified market gaps or developed innovative concepts. Be ready to discuss your creative process and how you translate insights into actionable product designs.
✨Understand Industry Regulations
Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations such as FEDIAF and DEFRA. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you are knowledgeable and serious about compliance in product development.
✨Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be prepared to talk about your experience working with different teams, such as Marketing and Technical departments. Emphasise your project management skills and how you effectively engage stakeholders to bring ideas to life.