At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation strategy and take iconic food brand into new categories.
- Company: Join a market-leading premium food brand with a strong innovation ambition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, health insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Supportive, fast-paced environment with hybrid working and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building something new, not just managing.
- Qualifications: Experience in food FMCG innovation and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Are you ready to take an iconic food brand into exciting new territory?
Join a market-leading premium food brand with a strong reputation and genuine innovation ambition. A rare opportunity to build something - not just manage an existing pipeline. Work directly with senior leadership on a brief that genuinely matters to the business. Supportive, fast-paced environment with hybrid working (three days in the office).
This is a broad, senior remit. You will own the innovation strategy - identifying new category opportunities, building the commercial case for investment, and leading products from concept through to launch. You will manage and develop a small team, run the stage-gate process, partner with marketing, commercial, operations and procurement, and help establish the ways of working for a new team.
What You Will Be Doing
- Leading innovation strategy from whitespace identification and consumer insight through to commercial launch
- Taking the brand into new categories - ambient, snacking, frozen and beyond
- Managing the full NPD and stage-gate process
- Building and presenting business cases to senior stakeholders
- Overseeing budgets including cost management and project spend
- Developing compelling product concepts, brand positioning and retailer propositions
- Managing and developing members of the innovation team
What We Are Looking For
- Proven experience leading innovation in a food FMCG environment, with a track record of successful launches
- Experience taking brands into new or adjacent categories
- Ability to use consumer insight and category data to identify whitespace and build a commercial innovation agenda
- Strong project management and stage-gate experience
- Commercial awareness with a clear focus on the consumer
- Degree educated or equivalent
About You
- Entrepreneurial, curious and creative - you see opportunity where others see risk
- A natural collaborator who can bring cross-functional teams together and influence at senior level
- Someone who wants to build something, not just manage something
Bonus paid twice a year of up to 9% £5,000 annual car allowance. 25 days holiday increasing with length of service. Group personal pension with 4% company contribution. MediCash Health Insurance. Quarterly staff samples, annual company BBQ and more.
Please note; due to the location of our client's office you must be able to commute to the office by car (3 days a week). Please note there is free parking on site.
NPD and Innovation Manager employer: Pursuit Resources Group
Join a market-leading premium food brand that not only values innovation but also fosters a supportive and dynamic work culture. As an NPD and Innovation Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of the brand while enjoying benefits such as a competitive bonus structure, generous holiday allowance, and a collaborative environment that encourages personal and professional growth. With hybrid working arrangements and free on-site parking, this role offers the perfect blend of flexibility and convenience for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the food industry.
