NPD and Innovation Manager

NPD and Innovation Manager

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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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

As an Engineer Team Leader, you will thrive in a dynamic factory environment that prioritises safety and efficiency. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture where hands-on leadership is valued, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With competitive salaries and a commitment to continuous improvement, we ensure our employees are well-supported and engaged in meaningful work.

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Contact Details:

Pursuit Resources Group Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace NPD and Innovation Manager

Innovation Strategy
Category Opportunity Identification
Commercial Case Development
Stage-Gate Process Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Consumer Insight Utilisation
Project Management