NPD Process Manager

You are responsible for leading the execution and delivery of WatchHouse’s global new product development pipeline across food, coffee and retail. This role will project manage the end-to-end product lifecycle, from ideation through to launch, ensuring products are delivered seamlessly across Houses, ecommerce and franchise markets. Working cross-functionally across WatchHouse teams in the UK and US, you will coordinate stakeholders, timelines and operational delivery to bring commercially successful and brand-aligned products to market. Combining strong project management, commercial awareness and operational excellence, this role is critical in ensuring WatchHouse continues to deliver best-in-class product launches globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• NPD delivery and execution: Lead the end-to-end delivery of new product launches across Houses and franchise markets, ensuring seamless execution from concept through to launch.
• Product launch calendar: Own and manage the global NPD launch calendar, defining timelines, milestones and go-to-market deadlines across all product initiatives.
• Cross-functional coordination: Coordinate key stakeholders across marketing, operations, commercial, procurement and supply chain teams to ensure alignment and successful delivery.
• Supplier management: Support Procurement and Supply Chain where needed with identifying suppliers and manage relationships throughout the product development process.
• Launch rollout and operational readiness: Own the rollout of new products into Houses (and ecommerce where needed), including launch packs, product specifications, operational briefings and training coordination.
• Process improvement and ways of working: Continuously improve NPD workflows, launch processes and cross-functional ways of working to support scalability and operational efficiency.
• Performance and reporting: Track launch performance, product feedback and post-launch reporting, identifying opportunities to improve future launches and inputting into commercial briefs and range reviews.

Key to this role:

• 3+ years experience in project management, operations, product delivery or NPD within hospitality, retail, food & beverage or consumer brands.
• Strong experience managing complex timelines and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally across operational, commercial and marketing teams.
• Strong understanding of product launch processes and operational delivery.
• Commercially aware with a proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
• Confident managing suppliers, timelines and launch critical paths.
• Experience working across multiple markets preferred.
• A collaborative, delivery-focused approach with high standards of execution.

WatchHouse was born from a passion to do better - with diligence, detail, and a relentless pursuit of excellence at our core. We’re a people-first business that celebrates individuality and places respect, inclusion, and equality at the heart of everything we do. We believe in hiring the right person for the role, valuing personality and potential as much as skills and experience. As a team, we lead with empathy, communicate openly, collaborate effectively, and support one another to succeed. We hold ourselves to high standards, sharing in each other’s successes while staying mindful, kind, and committed to progress. Our four core values - passion, drive, diligence, and empathy - guide every decision we make and shape the culture we’re proud to build together.