NPD Project Manager

NPD Project Manager

📍 London

💰 Circa £45,000

Alexander Steele Recruitment is delighted to continue its partnership with a highly successful and growing private label food manufacturer as they strengthen their Innovation and NPD function.

Due to continued growth and investment, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a UK NPD Project & Portfolio Manager to join the business. This is a highly visible role that sits at the centre of the organisation, coordinating innovation activity across multiple sites and ensuring projects are successfully delivered from concept through to launch.

Working closely with NPD, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial and Finance teams, you will play a key role in driving the innovation pipeline and ensuring projects remain on track, on budget and aligned to business objectives.

About the Role

* Manage a diverse portfolio of innovation and product development projects across the UK business

* Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery of projects from concept through to launch

* Drive project timelines, manage risks and maintain clear communication with stakeholders

* Support product launches, raw material transitions and project governance processes

* Work closely with internal teams and retail customers to ensure key milestones are achieved

* Lead project reviews, identify improvement opportunities and drive best practice across the innovation process

* Provide visibility of project status and performance to senior leadership teams

About the Candidate

We are looking for an organised and commercially aware project professional who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

You will have:

* Previous experience managing NPD, innovation or change projects within FMCG manufacturing

* A strong understanding of the product development lifecycle and stage-gate processes

* Experience working across multiple functions including NPD, Supply Chain, Operations and Commercial teams

* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

* The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver projects to challenging deadlines

* Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to driving projects forward

* Degree-level education or equivalent, with project management qualifications viewed favourably

Why This Opportunity?

* Join a growing and ambitious food manufacturing business with an exciting innovation agenda

* Take ownership of high-profile projects that directly impact business growth

* Work across multiple UK sites and collaborate with senior leaders across the organisation

* Play a key role in shaping and improving innovation and project management processes

* Excellent opportunity to further develop your career within a business that continues to invest in both its people and product portfolio
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed