NPD Manager

Job Purpose:

To develop and deliver, in a timely manner, great tasting products that are relevant to the customer and result in profitable sales growth for the Company through the application of the quality, value, innovation and people strategic principles.

Reporting To:

NPD Controller

Main Duties:

• Working within the development team and alongside the buying team and relevant account management teams to develop and deliver new concepts that are relevant to the customer briefs, whilst also being commercially viable. This should be aligned to the strategic customer plan.
• Build a strong understanding of the competitive environment and identify and lever differentiators
  • Understand the key categories within which we operate
  • Understand the Company’s production capabilities and work with the NPD controller to drive change where necessary
  • Understand the supplier base and respective capabilities
  • Understand the customer’s technical requirements
• Maintain regular contact with the relevant point of contact at the customer (developer, buyer), keeping up to date with customer changes and development cycles; attend customer meetings as required.
• Set and adhere to critical timings to ensure all project aspects are delivered as specified satisfying customer and business, commercial, nutritional and process development requirements
• Ensure the product development process (Stage & Gate) is followed and that each stage is completed, documented and communicated accurately and efficiently through to key stakeholders
• Work closely with the buying team to source new ingredients and packaging, responsible for requesting supplier specifications and QAS, ensuring compliance to the Company and customer standards
• Production of first samples, manage and approve production of subsequent samples
• Manage product presentations both internally and externally including all product submission paperwork, collation of feedback and next steps/actions
• Attend regular NPD meetings and ensure effective communication of all relevant project information to factory functions
• Attendance at NPD and Commercial meetings where necessary
• Attend factory trials / pre-production runs in conjunction with site process development teams where necessary
• Deliver on key performance indicators including; people, quality, health and safety, environment, cost optimisation and customer service
• Challenge processes and practices within the department and suggest improvements where necessary
• Effectively manage staff ensuring that compliance with current employment legislation is maintained
• Mentor and coach team members
• Objectively assess the team’s performance (formally through personal KPIs and informally) and help them develop PDPs
• Review and update the training requirements of the department in line with current legislation and changing departmental operations
• Effectively manage time, costs, energy and waste within the department

Requirements, Experience and Person Specification:

• Actively promotes and delivers improved health and safety behaviours and environmental awareness
• Has detailed knowledge of systems, processes and procedures
• Recognised as an expert in the NPD department
• Can demonstrate KPI improvement
• Delivers quality and accuracy in own work and in that of the team
• Ensures that the NPD department operates to the correct working standard
• Able to identify problems and own them through to resolution
• Can act on decisions with the required amount of urgency
• Ability to work within a fast-paced environment
• Food Safety Level 3 or Higher

Personal Skills:

• Demonstrates a passion and understanding of food with respect for quality
• Displays a factory minded approach
• Works to common goals/objectives with peers from other departments
• Ensures effective use of personal and team’s time
• Communicates effectively to all departments and stakeholders
• Ensures the team are adequately trained and that personal and technical skills are developed
• Able to coach individuals towards behavioural changes and performance improvement
• Able to manage challenging situations in a professional manner and seeks amicable solutions
• Takes responsibility for the team and takes corrective action where necessary
• Able to resolve matters quickly and complete tasks
• Able to adapt to change
• Detail conscious
• Proven track record of project management 

Key Relationships:

• NPD Team
• Process Team
• Buying Team
• Marketing/Category Manager
• Account Managers
• Operations Team
• Technical Team

Additional Information:

• Ability to drive is essential (Full UK Driving Licence). Expected to be available at all the Company, supplier and customer sites if required. Overnight and overseas travel may be required.
• To Maintain the Health, Safety and Welfare of yourself and other employees in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 as well as adhering to Control of Substances Hazard to Health (COSHH) regulations.
• To respect and honour the sentiment of the Company’s ethical policies and codes of conduct, when interacting with your colleagues at all times.