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- Tasks: Manage key customer accounts and lead product development from concept to launch.
- Company: Established food manufacturing business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to influence product strategy.
- Why this job: Be the driving force behind exciting new products in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in NPD or customer-facing roles within food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are supporting a well-established and growing food manufacturing business supplying major retail, foodservice and B2B customers across the UK & Ireland. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint an NPD Account Manager to act as the key link between customers and the internal development teams.
This is a highly visible role within the business, combining customer-facing responsibility with hands-on product development, ensuring successful delivery of projects from concept through to launch.
Key Responsibilities- Act as the primary contact for key customer accounts, managing the full NPD process from brief to launch
- Translate customer requirements into clear, actionable development briefs for internal teams
- Lead and manage multiple NPD projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines, costings and quality standards are met
- Work closely with Technical, Operations, Commercial and Procurement teams to deliver commercially viable products
- Attend and lead customer meetings, presenting concepts, samples and project updates
- Coordinate factory trials, product approvals and launch plans
- Ensure all products meet retailer specifications, technical standards and regulatory requirements
- Manage critical paths and ensure all deadlines are achieved
- Support continuous improvement of NPD processes and customer engagement
- Proven experience in an NPD, Development or Customer-facing role within food manufacturing
- Strong understanding of chilled / (high care / short shelf life preferred)
- Experience working with major retailers or foodservice customers
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance customer expectations and business needs
- Experience with factory trials, specifications and product launches
- Site-based role with some flexibility depending on business needs
- Fast-paced environment with strong cross-functional collaboration
- Opportunity to work closely with major customers and influence product strategy
- Clear progression opportunities within a growing business
NPD Account Manager in Newtownabbey employer: Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
Contact Detail:
Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Account Manager in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local food manufacturing events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that NPD Account Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising your pitch. We suggest you highlight your experience in managing NPD projects and how you’ve successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their fast-paced environment!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the NPD Account Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application directly. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and helps us keep track of your application better.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Account Manager in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the NPD Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed NPD projects and engaged with customers in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, make sure to demonstrate your strong communication skills in your application. We love seeing candidates who can clearly articulate their thoughts and ideas!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
✨Know Your NPD Inside Out
Make sure you understand the entire New Product Development (NPD) process. Brush up on how to translate customer requirements into actionable briefs, as this will be crucial in your role. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and trends in the food manufacturing sector, especially regarding chilled products.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing multiple NPD projects simultaneously. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to meet timelines, manage costs, and maintain quality standards. This will demonstrate your capability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex concepts or project updates. Think about how you can effectively present ideas to both technical teams and customers.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research the company and its major retail and foodservice customers. Show that you have a good grasp of commercial awareness and can balance customer expectations with business needs. This insight will help you stand out as a candidate who understands the bigger picture.