NPD Project Manager in Blackburn

Overview of the Company

Pets Choice is a ever-evolving FMCG branded pet products manufacturer and supplier. As one of the fastest-growing producers in the pet-care industry, we’re committed to elevating our large, diverse portfolio of trusted brands, including Webbox, Bob Martin, Felight, Vets Kitchen, Hownd and Meatiful. Our products range from food, treats, toys, accessories, and healthcare, giving us a uniquely broad presence across the pet-care landscape. We manufacture and supply into a wide range of channels including Grocery, Discounter, Wholesale, eCommerce, Pet Specialist, and Export markets, ensuring our brands reach pet owners across the UK and beyond.

Overview of the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly organised and driven Project Manager to join an exciting and fast-paced business. This role will be responsible for driving excellence in project delivery and governance across the innovation pipeline, while supporting the delivery of NPD projects and owning EPD initiatives end-to-end. You will work closely with the Innovation Controller and Innovation Managers to ensure projects are aligned to strategic priorities and delivered through a robust stage and gate process.

We are looking for a proactive, solutions-focused individual with strong project management experience and a proven track record of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously. You will act as the central driver of project delivery, ensuring clear communication, strong cross-functional alignment, and proactive management of timelines, risks, and bottlenecks. You will lead cross functional teams, working closely with Brand, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement and Sales teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the delivery of projects across the innovation pipeline, ensuring strong governance, clear timelines, and effective cross-functional coordination.
• Act as the central driver of project delivery, ensuring all projects are structured, well-managed and delivered on time and to required quality standards.
• Own and manage project management best practice, including critical paths, milestone tracking/compliance and stakeholder communication.
• Create, manage and continuously improve detailed critical paths and communicate these clearly to all stakeholders.
• Develop and implement standardised project management tools and templates.
• Lead cross functional meetings, ensuring clear agendas, actions and accountability.
• Ensure all teams are aligned to key deadlines and proactively drive progress.
• Identify risks, dependencies and bottlenecks and take action to resolve them.
• Support Innovation Managers on NPD projects through strong project management discipline and governance.
• Own and deliver EPD projects end-to-end including reformulation, cost optimisation, range extensions and packaging changes.
• Own governance forums including Gate meetings, project meetings and post launch reviews.
• Act as custodian of the stage and gate process, drive continuous improvement and deliver training and refresher sessions.
• Own reporting, dashboards and project tracking tools to improve visibility.
• Maintain structured project documentation ensuring audit readiness.
• Lead post launch reviews and embed learnings into future projects.

Skills, experience and qualifications required

Essential

• Experience in project management within FMCG or manufacturing
• Strong experience managing projects through an NPD stage and gate process
• Proven ability to manage critical paths
• Experience leading cross functional teams
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong organisation and problem-solving skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Resilient with a proactive and can-do attitude
• Experience in owning and leading EPD projects

Desirable

• Pet care experience
• Project management qualification
• CIM Marketing or Other Innovation Qualification
• Full UK and clean driving licence is preferred