At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative food product development from concept to launch in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic and forward-thinking food manufacturing business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape future product innovation.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that values creativity and customer focus.
- Qualifications: Experience in NPD within food manufacturing and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced and driven NPD Manager to join a fast-paced and highly innovative food manufacturing business. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a customer-focused environment, enjoys leading teams and has a passion for delivering best-in-class products within a fast-moving market.
The successful candidate will play a key role in managing the full product development lifecycle, leading projects from concept through to launch while ensuring timelines, quality standards and customer expectations are consistently met.
Key Responsibilities- Take ownership of maintaining, developing and continuously improving the product development critical path.
- Lead projects through all development stages, coordinating effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Prepare and present key documentation throughout the development process, leading critical handover meetings.
- Manage projects with an agile and solutions-focused approach, adapting quickly to changes and challenges while meeting deadlines.
- Lead, mentor and support the NPD team, ensuring workloads are effectively managed and performance standards are achieved.
- Drive a high-performance culture across the department.
- Build strong, trusted relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
- Work closely with development and operational teams to ensure customer briefs are translated into commercially viable, high-quality products.
- Maintain a hands-on approach and promote a collaborative team culture during busy periods.
- Keep up to date with market trends and competitor activity to ensure product offerings remain innovative and competitive.
- Conduct regular benchmarking and gap analysis activities to identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
- Develop a strong understanding of products, ingredients and manufacturing processes to support efficient product development and customer engagement.
The ideal candidate will have proven experience in a senior NPD role within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, with strong project and critical path management skills. You will be a confident leader with the ability to manage and develop teams effectively, while also building strong customer relationships and presenting confidently at all levels. Commercially aware and highly organised, you will have a strong understanding of market trends and innovation, alongside the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. A proactive, hands-on approach and excellent communication skills are essential for success in this role.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing and forward-thinking business where you can make a real impact and help shape future product innovation.
NPD Manager in City of London employer: Zest
Join a dynamic and innovative food manufacturing business that prioritises employee growth and fosters a collaborative work culture. As an NPD Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages creativity and agility, while also having the opportunity to lead a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional products. With a focus on continuous improvement and strong customer relationships, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in a fast-paced industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPD Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an NPD Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for product development and innovation in the food sector. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your project management stories. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and managed timelines in past roles. We want to see that you can handle the fast-paced environment!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the NPD Manager role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and project management, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve driven product development in the past!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about product innovation and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific examples of your achievements in previous roles.
Showcase Your Team Leadership:As an NPD Manager, leading teams is key. In your application, share examples of how you’ve mentored and supported your team in the past. We love to see candidates who can inspire and drive a high-performance culture!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest
✨Know Your Product Development Lifecycle
Make sure you understand the full product development lifecycle inside out. Be ready to discuss how you've managed projects from concept to launch in your previous roles, and think of specific examples that highlight your ability to meet timelines and quality standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential NPD Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare to talk about how you've led teams in the past, mentored colleagues, and fostered a high-performance culture. Bring examples of how you've effectively managed workloads and supported team members during busy periods.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
This role requires strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Think about times when you've successfully collaborated with different teams or clients. Be ready to share how you build trust and communicate effectively to ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Demonstrate your knowledge of current market trends and competitor activity in the food manufacturing sector. Prepare to discuss how you've used this information to drive innovation in your previous roles. Showing that you're proactive and aware of industry changes will set you apart from other candidates.