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- Tasks: Lead exciting new food 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, health perks, and a fun social culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving growth and creativity in the food sector.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years in project management, ideally in food product development; degree preferred but not essential.
- Other info: Must be a car driver due to office location; UK residency required.
The predicted salary is between 46200 - 63800 £ per year.
Salary: £55,000 DOE + Competitive benefits package including private healthcare
Location: 10 minutes from Romford
Full time, Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office in Essex
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 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.
New Product Development Manager - FMCG employer: Pursuit Resources Group
Contact Detail:
Pursuit Resources Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land New Product Development Manager - FMCG
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in FMCG and food product development. Understanding current market demands and consumer preferences will help you stand out during interviews, as you'll be able to discuss relevant insights and ideas.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FMCG sector, especially those involved in product development. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your project management experience in detail, particularly any successful NPD projects you've led. Be ready to share specific examples of how you managed timelines, collaborated with teams, and overcame challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s recent product launches and innovations. Being knowledgeable about their portfolio will not only impress your interviewers but also allow you to tailor your responses to align with their goals and values.
We think you need these skills to ace New Product Development Manager - FMCG
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in new product development and project management. Use keywords from the job description, such as 'end-to-end project management' and 'recipe development', to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for innovation in the food sector. Mention specific projects you've managed that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description, showcasing your ability to deliver on time and within budget.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role requires collaboration across multiple functions, emphasise your experience working with cross-functional teams. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully led projects involving marketing, procurement, and production.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Discuss instances where you've identified risks in projects and developed effective mitigation plans. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to manage uncertainty, which is crucial for this position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pursuit Resources Group
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing NPD projects from start to finish. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led a project, focusing on how you optimised timelines and managed risks.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the Food Sector
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the FMCG industry, especially in food product development. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with the company's focus on innovative and high-quality products.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working with multiple functions, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with different teams. Emphasise your communication skills and how you ensure alignment across departments.
✨Understand the Stage Gate Process
Brush up on your knowledge of the Stage Gate process as it’s crucial for this role. Be ready to explain how you've applied this methodology in past projects and how it can benefit the company’s NPD strategy.
