New Product Development Manager

Your new company
Hays are delighted to be working closely with this exceptional manufacturing success story. One, that, over the last 15 years, has continued to go from strength to strength. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic and collaborative team, where you'll play a key role in the day-to-day leadership of the NPD (New Product Development) department.
Your new role

• Manage, mentor, and support the development of the NPD Team.
• Deputise for the Head of NPD as required, supporting leadership continuity across the department.
• Develop new recipes in collaboration with the Head of NPD, both internally and with flavour houses, in response to customer briefs.
• Translate market trends into commercially viable concepts, both for branded projects and proactive customer proposals.
• Adapt recipes to meet factory requirements and support the scale-up and optimisation of manufacturing processes.
• Manage multiple product development projects from concept through to launch, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Create and maintain detailed project timelines (critical paths) to drive accountability and transparency across departments.
• Coordinate and manage all product trials and first productions, ensuring successful handover to operations.
• Liaise effectively with internal teams, including operations, technical, supply chain, and commercial, throughout the development process.
• Lead and facilitate cross-functional meetings (e.g. Liquid Meetings) to align project stakeholders and track progress.
• Attend and contribute to customer and supplier meetings, responding to queries and supporting ongoing development projects.
• Present new product concepts and final developments to customers.
• Write and approve finished product specifications in accordance with customer and legal requirements.
• Review and approve product artworks, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.
• Support the supplier and raw material approval process where necessary.
• Conduct regular benchmarking and research into market trends, emerging ingredients, and evolving consumer preferences.
• Use insight to inform NPD pipeline planning and inspire new concept creation.

What you'll need to succeed

• 5+ years' experience in a development role
• Level 4 HACCP and Level 4 Food Safety within Manufacturing qualifications
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience of working with retailers and/or brands.
• Be able to prioritise where applicable and work to deadlines.

What you'll get in return

• 31 days annual leave including bank holidays.
• Additional leave with service milestones (up to 4 extra days).
• Healthcare cash plan.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial wellbeing app with access to professional coaching.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Up to 10 days company sick pay annually.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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