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- Tasks: Lead product innovation and manage NPD activities across multiple sites.
- Company: Join Tayto Group, a top UK snack manufacturer with beloved brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and the chance to shape the future of snacks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced industry and drive exciting product launches.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science and 10+ years in food product development required.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a motivated team and influence major retailers.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
Tayto Group is home to some of the UK’s best‑loved snack brands and a leading supplier of own‑label products to all of the UK’s leading retailers. With five manufacturing sites, an extensive range of technologies, and over 750 SKUs, we deliver more than 200 product launches every year. It’s fast, it’s complex, and it’s an incredible place for an ambitious NPD leader to make their mark.
We are now seeking an exceptional Head of NPD to lead our product agenda across the Group and drive innovation, quality, and commercial success.
The Opportunity12 - 18 month FTC. Based at our flagship Corby site, you will lead and develop our 8‑strong NPD team, managing all NPD activity across the Group’s five sites. You’ll shape the innovation strategy, own the product change process, and work closely with brand and own‑label customers to deliver outstanding products at pace.
What You’ll Lead- Product & Innovation Leadership
- Set and drive the product agenda across all snack technologies and customer channels.
- Own the Product Change Process, ensuring launches are on time, to cost and specification.
- Lead multi‑customer and multi‑site development projects, including new products, upgrades, value engineering and continuous improvement.
- Customer & Supplier Engagement
- Build strong relationships with brand and retailer customers, including senior development and technical teams.
- Manage key supplier partnerships (e.g. seasonings, pellets, raw materials) to unlock innovation, quality and cost improvements.
- Team Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the NPD team, ensuring the team is equipped to deliver at pace.
- Allocate NPD resource effectively across customers and projects.
- Cross‑Functional Influence
- Work closely with Technical, Operations, Commercial and Marketing to deliver sales and strategic priorities.
- Ensure the business maintains up‑to‑date technical knowledge to meet current and future needs.
- A robust innovation pipeline for branded and own‑label customers.
- Efficient Product Change Process that supports rapid, accurate launches.
- Strong customer relationships and repeatable delivery of major projects to plan.
- A high‑performing, motivated NPD team.
- Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years’ experience in food product development, ideally in snacks.
- Proven leadership of NPD Managers / Development Technologists.
- Strong experience working with both brand and own label customers.
- Ability to manage complex, multi‑site, multi‑customer project portfolios.
- Gravitas and credibility to influence senior stakeholders internally and externally.
- High attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK’s largest snack manufacturers. You’ll lead innovation across multiple technologies, work with major UK retailers and brands, and influence the strategic direction of a fast‑growing, dynamic business. If you’re driven, commercially astute, and excited by the challenge of delivering high‑volume innovation at pace, we’d love to hear from you.
Head of New Product Development (NPD) in Northampton employer: Tayto Group Limited
Contact Detail:
Tayto Group Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Product Development (NPD) in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of NPD role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or presentation that highlights your past successes in product development. This will help you stand out when you get the chance to chat with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Tayto Group and their products. Understand their innovation strategy and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. We want to see your passion for snacks!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Tayto Group family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Product Development (NPD) in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of NPD role. Highlight your experience in food product development and leadership skills, especially in snacks. We want to see how your background aligns with our fast-paced environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about innovation in the snack industry and how you can drive our product agenda. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your successes in previous roles, like successful product launches or improvements in processes. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tayto Group Limited
✨Know Your Snacks
Dive deep into Tayto Group's product range and understand their key brands. Familiarise yourself with their recent launches and innovations. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the company and its products.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led NPD teams in the past. Highlight specific projects where you drove innovation and managed cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you motivate and develop your team to deliver results at pace.
✨Master the Product Change Process
Understand the intricacies of the product change process and be prepared to discuss how you would ensure timely and cost-effective launches. Bring examples from your experience that demonstrate your ability to manage complex projects across multiple sites and customers.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your experience in building strong relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers. Prepare to discuss how you’ve engaged with senior development and technical teams to unlock innovation and drive quality improvements in past roles.