NPI Lead

MRD Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting a NPI / NPD Leader on behalf of our FMCG client, who are a market leader in their respective field. Reporting into the Head of Supply Chain, the NPI / NPD Leader will be based in Bathgate 5 days a week.

The successful NPI / NPD Leader, based in Bathgate, oversees the end-to-end process of new product introduction to manufacturing, new product packaging development and master data management. This cross-functional role is crucial in ensuring that new products are seamlessly introduced to production, a robust discontinuation process for old products is in place, new product packaging solutions meet business, regulatory, productivity and sustainability requirements and master data integrity is maintained across all systems

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Lead cross functional core teams to ensure successful delivery of NPI and product change projects to meet specified quality, marketing, and financial criteria within agreed project scope & lead-times
• Drive the NPI agenda with Marketing managers and designers to educate and promote processes, technical constraints, material expertise and priorities to positively influence outcomes
• Coordinate with the group procurement team the purchasing of the dry goods and when required will support to source specific products not covered by the group procurement team
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and risk assessments to ensure successful product rollout
• Create a central tracking database for all NPI projects and follow and robust NPI gates process with clear timelines, owners and actions.
• Works closely with the supply and demand team to phase in new products and phase out old products in terms of sales forecast and planning production.
• Ensure the timely obsolescence and discontinuation of Finished and Dry Goods where required minimizing any write offs and alert when write off is required.
• Provide monthly progress status and reporting to the on selected projects identifying risks and implementing remedial action plans whilst highlighting future opportunities
• Identify process improvements and optimize workflows for faster time-to-production.
• Support the design, develop, and implement packaging solutions that align with new product introductions, factory packaging technology, manufacturing and cost efficiencies, and sustainability goals.
• Work closely with suppliers, designers, and production teams to ensure packaging is fit for purpose.
• Oversee packaging testing, regulatory compliance, waste management and risk assessments.
• Drive, with the engineering team, innovation in packaging technology and materials to enhance quality, product appeal and environmental impact.
• Ensure the accuracy and maintain all product-relate master data, including specifications, BOM, pricing, phase in, phase out, etc.
• Develop and enforce data governance policies and best practices.
• Collaborate with IT and Business Analysts to enhance data systems and reporting capabilities.
• Maintain compliance with industry standards and internal data management frameworks.

Essential skills, knowledge & behaviours

• Experience working in an NPI/NPD technical environment type role in the drinks manufacturing industry
• Experience in a project management/change management
• Proven track record in successfully driving and delivering change projects
• Significant demonstrable experience of printing processes, packaging technology and materials, design and manufacturing performance requirements and their impact on high-speed bottling lines.
• Strong team leading and organisational skills demonstrated via examples of delivery of many stakeholder requirements within a fast-moving change environment
• Experience in producing Management Information and reporting
• Competency with AS400 systems (or similar ERP systems)
• Advanced Excel skills
• Proficiency with other Microsoft Office Suite programmes
• Excellent Communication skills
• Project Management qualification
• A gregarious pragmatic problem solver with ability to prioritise and achieve targets under pressure whilst leading core teams with conflicting priorities
• Self-reliant and with the excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively at all levels in the business
• Excellent attention to detail
• Innovative individual who can influence others whilst having the resilient to pursue issues to a satisfactory conclusion without excessive guidance