NPD Manager

Main Purpose of the Role:    

Lead and manage the NPD team and manage the development process from concept to launch. To ensure new products developed are innovative, of the highest quality and market leading. Optimising development processes and continually improving the service provided to customers. To ensure projects are delivered to the highest possible standards within agreed critical path timelines and commercial parameters set by both internal departments and external customers. 

Main Responsibilities:

In this role you will be a senior specialist within product development and will deliver high profile projects. In addition, you will challenge current processes and practices to assist in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and business growth. 

Some of your key responsibilities will include: 

• Developing and optimising the current development process, improving overall departmental performance, and driving business growth through new opportunities. 

• Promoting the development of an innovative and creative culture throughout the NPD function. 

• Demonstrating strong leadership, ensuring successful networks, knowledge transfer & cooperation with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Maintaining customer and company quality standards, ensuring compliance with standards, policies, safety requirements and applicable regulation. • Building and maintaining customer relationships 

• Managing an overview of NPD projects and ensuring projects remain on track. 

• To keep up to date with relevant legislation changes and champion the knowledge transfer within the business. 

• To keep up to date with food, innovation and technological trends through relevant market data and other data sources. 

• To report departmental performance monthly through KPIs and seeking constant improvement where possible. 

• To promote and lead departmental growth and training through internal and external sources.

Health and Safety, Environment and Housekeeping

•    To assist to work in a safety conscious, sensible manner that is in accordance with company procedures and in accordance with received training.

•    To set standards of safety and ensure that the team for whom this person is responsible adheres to the given procedures.

•    Leading the team to be continually conscious of the need to keep the working environment clean and tidy, ensuring that working areas are left as one would expect them to be found.

•    To contribute to health and safety initiatives such as ongoing risk assessment, investigations and promoting the remit of the internal health and safety committee.

•    To work in an efficient manner by performing duties in such a way that will not affect the environment negatively, waste materials unnecessarily, damage company property or affect the success of the team of which one is a member and a leader.

Communication

•    All communication requirements must be conducted in a professional, positive and clear manner.

•    To conduct staff briefings and training or instructional sessions when the situation dictates or when prescribed by the management team.

•    Precise communication whilst relaying instructions, ensuring that they are delivered in a non-misleading manner.

•    Listening skills must be given equal importance where effective communication is to be achieved.

Team Orientation

•    To contribute to achieving success within the operation profit and loss account by being mindful of actions that might adversely affect operating costs.

•    Support the management team to achieve objectives regarding tackling human resource issues.

•    Guide team members to achieve personal opportunities and respect personal individuality.

Additional Responsibilities 

 

Personal Performance 

To take responsibility for personal performance and the development of personal skills to ensure the required skills, knowledge, and competence to fulfil the role. 

Customer Focus 

To consider the behavior of the team in relation to customer satisfaction and to ensure brand protection occurs. 

 

Values and Behaviours 

To encourage and promote the values of the company and to comply with the required standards of conduct. 

 

Equality and Diversity 

To promote, adhere to and implement the Equal Opportunities policy. 

 

Environment 

To promote the Environmental Policy by implementing working practices and procedures that ensure a sustainable approach to the use of resources are disposed of in an efficient and environmentally friendly way. 

Person Specification

Factor

    

Essential

    

Desirable

Qualifications    5 GCSEs at grade A – D (or equivalent). Industry recognised food technical qualification – HND/Degree or equivalent      5 GCSEs at grade A – D (or equivalent).

Experience

    5 years of experience in people management 

Previous NPD manager or Senior Technologist experience of developing concepts through to launch and managing a team.

Experience launching products into a variety of market sectors including retailers, brands, and export markets.

    10 years of experience in people management 

Previous NPD manager experience of developing concepts through to launch and managing a team.

High level of experience launching products into a variety of market sectors including retailers, brands and global export markets.

Skills

    

•    commercial awareness 

•    effective organisational skills

•    meticulous attention to detail

•    numeracy 

•    excellent communication skills.

    

•    commercial awareness 

•    effective organisational skills

•    meticulous attention to detail

•    numeracy 

•    excellent communication skills.

Personal attributes

    

•    The ability to form working relationships with people at all levels. 

•    Teamworking and interpersonal skills

•    Diplomacy and the ability to deal with situations that are stressful to others.

    

•    The ability to form working relationships with people at all levels. 

•    Teamworking and interpersonal skills

•    Diplomacy and the ability to deal with situations that are stressful to others.

N.B. 

Notwithstanding the details in this job description the job holder will undertake such work as may be determined by their Line Manager from time to time, up to or at a level consistent with the principal responsibilities of the role. 

Benefits

Up to £55,000 salary

Free car parking

PPE provided