Senior NPD & Innovation Lead — Food Retail in Grimsby

To lead the NPD agenda across branded and retailer accounts within the Sofina Europe Seafood and Pork divisions, delivering innovative products from concept to launch while ensuring customer expectations, commercial targets, and compliance standards are achieved.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced role where you’ll collaborate closely with internal teams and customers, balancing creativity with commercial awareness. You’ll contribute to both brand and own-label development, while staying ahead of trends and driving continuous improvement across products and processes.

Working cross-functionally across the business, you will manage projects from initial concept through to launch approval, ensuring all products meet expectations in terms of food technology, quality, hygiene, safety, legality, and cost. You will play a key role in driving innovation, building strong customer and supplier relationships, and supporting the development of future NPD strategies and plans.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Interpret and deliver approved NPD and EPD project briefs as required.
• Formulate and implement NPD strategy specific to the retailer.
• Take end-to-end ownership of NPD and EPD projects from concept through to full launch approval.
• Manage, communicate, and progress projects effectively across the business.
• Support the development of forward innovation plans for branded and retailer accounts.
• Ensure all due diligence and NPD processes are followed robustly and consistently.
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to support effective decision making and project delivery.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key customers and suppliers.
• Lead, mentor and develop direct reports to drive NPD excellence, effective project delivery and team performance.

The Ideal Candidate

• A true NPD professional with experience in a retailer focused and fast changing food environment.
• Practical and hands-on approach with strong experience of NPD Process and Innovation.
• Innovative analytical and capable of delivering strategic initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for food, innovation, and product development.
• A “superstar” NPD professional with the ability to inspire and challenge those around you, combining strategic NPD experience with a strong commercial ability, and exceptional people skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Collaborative and proactive approach to cross-functional working.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and coaching capability.
• Solutions focused with strong problem-solving skills.

Preferred Experience

• HNC/HND in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience within food manufacturing or NPD environments.
• Experience developing innovative products within cross-functional teams.
• Experience leading and mentoring team members.
• Driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Why Sofina Foods?

• Competitive Salary.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• Online Benefits Hub.
• Career Development Opportunities.
• Supportive and Collaborative Working Culture.
• Opportunity to work on innovative branded and retailer products across Seafood and Pork divisions.
• Exposure to cross-functional teams, major customers, and exciting development projects.

Company Information

Sofina Foods isn't just a food company - It’s a place to build your future. With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we're passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world. Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents. Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

Hours of Work: Full-time