At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting new product launches from concept to market, collaborating with diverse teams.
- Company: Join a leading food brand known for innovation and high-quality products.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, free lunches, and a competitive benefits package including private healthcare.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving growth and creativity in the food sector.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years in project management with experience in new product development required.
- Other info: Must be a car driver; office not accessible by public transport.
Job Title: Innovation Project Manager – New Product Development Salary: £55,000 DOE + Competitive benefits package including private healthcare Location: 15 minutes drive from Dartford (In Essex) Full time, Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office Must be a car driver to access the office due to the location Exciting Opportunity with Leading Food Brand On behalf of our prestigious client, a market leader in the food sector known for their innovative and high-quality products, we are seeking an experienced Innovation Project Manager with New Product Development experience to join their dynamic team near Basildon. Our client has embarked on an ambitious growth strategy, rolling out exciting new products across several categories and developing a longer-term pipeline to unlock new demographics and usage occasions. The Role The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of new product launches, from exploration to market introduction. You will work with key stakeholders across all business functions to ensure projects are delivered on time, to cost, and meeting high quality standards. You will take full accountability for end-to-end project management – optimising timelines, identifying and communicating risks, and managing the stage gate process. Key Responsibilities – Manage the full consumer-centric NPD process from concept to launch, including recipe development, finished product costing, factory trials, and post-launch reviews – Create and manage end-to-end project timelines for both major Innovation/NPD launches and simpler range extension projects – Ensure all products are launched on time and meet financial and quality targets – Collaborate across multiple functions including Marketing, Category, Procurement, Production, Supply Chain, Technical, Sales and Finance, as well as 3rd party manufacturers – Develop business cases for new NPD projects alongside Category, Marketing, Sales, Finance and Procurement teams – Lead recipe formulation, flavour development and finished product development with both in-house teams and 3rd party manufacturing partners based in the UK and EU – Apply supply chain, product development and manufacturing knowledge to optimise project delivery and mitigate risks – Maintain multi-functional visibility of critical paths and drive on-time delivery of actions – Identify operational risks and develop mitigation plans, clearly communicating these to leadership – Ensure market requirements and regulatory complexities are incorporated into all plans – Lead multi-functional project meetings and risk assessment sessions – Manage consumer research activities with external partners, ensuring internal alignment on deliverables – Conduct benchmarking, market analysis, and competitor reviews to identify trends and opportunities Candidate Requirements – Minimum 4-5 years in a project management role managing NPD projects – Preferably degree-qualified in Food Science, Nutrition or related field (not essential) – Strong background in branded retail packaged food product development, ideally in ambient ready-to-heat or chilled savoury meal solutions, sauces/condiments, or similar products – Proven end-to-end project management skills from ideation to post-launch evaluation – Experience in recipe and flavour profile development, upscaling from kitchen recipes to factory trials – Knowledge of product COGs development and cost engineering to meet targets – Comprehensive understanding of new product creation and launch processes across operations and supply chain – Agile mindset, adaptable to changing priorities and objectives – Ability to create structured project plans from ambiguous briefs and manage uncertainty – Track record of successful collaborative project delivery – Excellent communication skills across all levels and functions – Proactive approach with strong attention to detail – Experience with Stage Gate processes – Experience managing projects with both internal and 3rd party supply chains preferred – Project management platform experience beneficial – Comfortable with hands-on tasks such as preparation for tastings and sample coordination Company Benefits: – Holidays: 25 days (increasing to 28 days with service). – Additional Leave: Up to 10 extra days for long service milestones. – Pension: Group personal pension with 4% company contribution. – Life Cover: 3 x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary. – Maternity Pay: Occupational maternity pay plus SMP. – Accident Cover: Disability compensation payment. – Health & Wellbeing: BUPA & BUPA cash plan (individual or family). – Recognition: Employee Star Award. – Lunches & Drinks: Free lunch every day (valued at £700) + free drinks. – Social: Heavily subsidised sports & social events + annual company BBQ. – Annual Flu Vaccination: Provided for all employees. Additional Notes: Car Driver Required: The office is not accessible via public transport; therefore, a valid driving license and access to a car is essential. Location Disclosure: Please mention your location in your CV. Applications without location details may experience delays in processing. Eligibility: Only applicants with UK residency and full visa status will be considered. Applications from those outside of the UK will not be shortlisted. If you plan to relocate, please mention this in your CV or cover letter
Project Manager - New Product Development employer: Pursuit Executive Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Pursuit Executive Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - New Product Development
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific NPD processes in the food industry. Understanding the nuances of recipe development, factory trials, and market introduction will give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food sector, especially those involved in product development. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into current trends and may lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with Stage Gate processes and how you've successfully managed projects from ideation to post-launch evaluation. Real-life examples will showcase your expertise effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your ability to collaborate across multiple functions. Be ready to share instances where you've worked with marketing, procurement, and production teams to drive successful product launches.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - New Product Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in project management, particularly in new product development. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage projects from ideation to launch.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention your relevant experience in the food sector and how it aligns with their innovative approach to product development.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasize your skills in managing timelines, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and your understanding of supply chain processes. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly stated in your application.
Include Location Details: Since the job requires a car driver due to its location, make sure to mention your location in your CV. This will help avoid any delays in processing your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pursuit Executive Recruitment Ltd
✨Showcase Your NPD Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in managing new product development projects. Highlight specific examples where you successfully took a product from concept to launch, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role requires collaboration across various functions, be ready to share instances where you worked with teams like Marketing, Procurement, and Production. Emphasize your communication skills and how you ensured alignment among different stakeholders.
✨Understand the Market and Trends
Research the company’s products and the food industry trends. Be prepared to discuss how market analysis and consumer research can influence product development and how you would apply this knowledge in your role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially regarding risk management and project timelines. Think of scenarios where you had to adapt to changing priorities and how you managed those situations effectively.