At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting product development initiatives from concept to launch in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Rapidly growing food-to-go manufacturer with a passion for quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Free lunch, social events, career development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and thrive in a dynamic workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product innovation while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in food product development and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About us: We are a rapidly growing, privately owned food-to-go manufacturer based in South London, proudly creating high-quality handcrafted products since the 1970s. Our passion for delicious food, innovation, local communities, and sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do. All our products are handmade at our South London facility with the same care, expertise, and dedication that have driven our success from day one.
The Opportunity: This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious NPD Manager to take ownership of the full product development lifecycle — leading multiple projects from concept to launch within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. You’ll play a key role in driving innovation while ensuring projects are delivered on time, commercially viable, operationally feasible, and aligned with customer and business expectations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage multiple NPD projects from concept through to successful launch
- Own and maintain the NPD critical path, ensuring projects are delivered on time and in full
- Drive structured project management across development activity, managing timelines, risks, dependencies, and priorities
- Lead stage-gate processes and prepare key development documentation throughout project lifecycles
- Collaborate cross-functionally across Operations, Technical, Commercial, Procurement, and Production teams
- Work closely with chefs to translate customer briefs into commercially viable, scalable products
- Ensure manufacturing capability and operational feasibility are embedded throughout development
- Build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
- Support capacity planning and prioritisation across active and pipeline projects
- Conduct competitor benchmarking, market analysis, and trend research to identify innovation opportunities
- Maintain a proactive, solutions-focused approach to overcoming development challenges
- Support and contribute to a high-performing, delivery-focused NPD culture
About You: We’re looking for an organised, commercially aware, and passionate food professional who thrives in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
Experience & Background:
- Proven experience within food product development, ideally within food-to-go, chilled food, or food manufacturing
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, factory environments, and cross-functional project delivery
- Experience managing multiple concurrent NPD projects with competing deadlines
- Customer-facing experience with retail or foodservice accounts would be advantageous
- Experience working within structured product development or stage-gate processes
Skills & Attributes:
- Strong project management and critical path management capability
- Excellent organisation, prioritisation, and stakeholder management skills
- Commercially minded with the ability to balance innovation with operational practicality
- Confident decision-maker and effective problem solver
- Able to influence and collaborate across multiple teams
- Passionate about food innovation, trends, and product excellence
- Resilient, proactive, and delivery-focused mindset
What We Offer: We believe our people are central to our success and are committed to creating an environment where individuals can thrive, develop, and enjoy coming to work.
Benefits & Culture:
- Free lunch and beverages every day
- Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties, BBQs, pizza days, sweet treats, and more
Career Development:
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Sponsored professional development
- Genuine opportunities for career progression
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:
- Pension scheme
- Financial wellbeing support and cash plan
- Discounted car repairs and MOT
- Health & Wellbeing: Gym scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, Access to mental health champions and wellbeing services
Time & Recognition:
- 33 days annual leave
- One paid charity day each year
- Long service awards recognising your contribution
Why Join Us? This is more than just an NPD role — it’s an opportunity to make a real impact within a growing and ambitious business. You’ll have ownership, visibility, and the chance to drive meaningful product innovation while developing your career within a supportive and passionate team.
Senior NPD Manager employer: Trades Workforce Solutions
As a rapidly growing, privately owned food-to-go manufacturer in South London, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, offering employees the chance to lead exciting product development initiatives while enjoying benefits like free lunches, regular social events, and genuine career progression opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment where your passion for food innovation can truly thrive.
Contact Details:
Trades Workforce Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior NPD Manager
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Trades Workforce Solutions.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Trades Workforce Solutions!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Tech
Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Trades Workforce Solutions, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're fresh out of uni, make use of your career services! They often have exclusive job boards and connections with companies looking for graduates. Don't forget to mention your interest in roles like those at Trades Workforce Solutions, and they might have insider tips or referrals just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior NPD Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Trades Workforce Solutions, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Trades Workforce Solutions.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Trades Workforce Solutions. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Trades Workforce Solutions. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Trades Workforce Solutions’s mission.
