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- Tasks: Lead exciting product and packaging projects from concept to launch for major UK retailers.
- Company: Join an innovative UK food manufacturer known for creativity and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, and benefits in a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food innovation while collaborating with passionate team members.
- Qualifications: Experience with private label products and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract; sponsorship is not available.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
An established and innovative UK food manufacturer is looking for a Product Development & Packaging Lead to drive end-to-end product and packaging development for major UK retail customers for a 12 month FTC. This is a key customer-facing role responsible for delivering high-impact projects in new product development (NPD), packaging renovations, and compliance.
Role Overview:
- Act as the primary contact for customers across all product development, renovation, and packaging initiatives.
- Lead projects from concept to launch, ensuring on-time, in-budget delivery aligned with customer KPIs.
- Guarantee all new and existing products meet customer specifications, policies, and quality standards.
- Manage packaging design, artwork, and copy approvals based on final product specs.
- Submit customer specifications Right First Time (RFT) and within agreed timeframes.
- Organise and lead customer meetings and technical visits to manufacturing sites.
- Monitor and report on product performance through benchmarking panels and customer KPIs.
- Projects delivered to brief, on time, and with full customer satisfaction.
- All specs, artwork, and packaging approved within the critical path and green-scored at launch.
- Proactive communication, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.
- Controlled budgets and cost-effective project execution.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven private label experience with major UK retailers.
- Strong customer focus and ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
- High levels of analytical thinking and a passion for product/process improvement.
- Excellent presentation and influencing skills to move initiatives forward.
- Strong organisational skills and proficiency in Excel.
Ready to shape the future of food innovation and lead exciting retail projects? Join a passionate team that values creativity, collaboration, and delivering excellence. Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available for this role. Salary bracket from £40,000 – £45,000 + bonus and benefits for a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.
NPD Manager employer: Vertical Advantage
Contact Detail:
Vertical Advantage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the major UK retailers and their private label products. Understanding their brand values and product lines will help you tailor your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food manufacturing and product development sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of past projects where you've successfully managed product development from concept to launch. Highlight your ability to meet customer specifications and KPIs, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your Excel skills, as proficiency in this area is essential. Consider taking a short course or using online resources to enhance your data analysis capabilities, which will be beneficial in monitoring product performance.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product development and packaging, especially with private label products for UK retailers. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage projects from concept to launch.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food innovation and detail how your skills align with the role's requirements. Mention your experience with customer-facing roles and your ability to manage multiple stakeholders effectively.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Since the role requires high levels of analytical thinking, include examples of how you've used data to drive product improvements or project success. Highlight any experience with benchmarking panels or performance monitoring.
Prepare for Interviews: If you get an interview, be ready to discuss specific projects you've led, focusing on your approach to managing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder communication. Prepare to share how you ensure compliance with quality standards and customer specifications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertical Advantage
✨Showcase Your NPD Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in new product development, especially with private label products for major UK retailers. Highlight specific projects you've led and the impact they had on customer satisfaction and business outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Customer Focus
Since this role is customer-facing, emphasise your ability to manage multiple stakeholders effectively. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated customer relationships and ensured their needs were met throughout the product development process.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to packaging design, compliance, and quality standards. Brush up on relevant regulations and be ready to explain how you ensure that all products meet specifications and quality benchmarks.
✨Exhibit Strong Analytical Skills
The role requires high levels of analytical thinking. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive product improvements or project decisions in the past. Familiarity with Excel will be beneficial, so consider sharing any relevant experiences where you've used it to analyse product performance.
