Working with Us

ARYZTA is for people who are passionate about what they do and doing it well. We take pride in our high quality, delicious food and in our leading position as the world’s number one frozen bakery.

Our employees are one of our key ingredients, and together they play a critical role in driving the continued success of our business. 

We are always looking for great people to join our diverse global team and we have opportunities spanning a wide range of areas including; Production, Logistics, Finance, IT, Sales, Quality, HR and much more. 

In ARYZTA, every day is different. If you are resilient, ambitious, and a team player, ARYZTA could be the place for you to thrive and grow in your career!

The Position:                   NPD Manager

Region:                               ARYZTA UK

Location:                             Home/ Field Based                                                

Reports to:                        Head of NPD

PURPOSE OF ROLE

With food manufacturing experience, you role will be to develop and launch new and/or upgraded product concepts, project managing these concepts through the development process to launch on time and to cost, ensuring that Quality standards are upheld.  Building relationships with key stakeholders within the customer base and internally so as to be on the forefront of customer briefs and NPD teams within bakeries.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

New Product Development

• To ensure the business is at the forefront of innovation and aware of new competitor launches and current food trends
• To ensure that all new products are developed in line with product briefs. These must be commercial work in practice
• To clearly communicate development briefs (product, price and technical requirements) to each site and have constant communication through the entire development process
• To ensure that all raw materials sourced are in line with preferred suppliers & customer brand standards
• To ensure that customer presentations are carried out professionally and knowledgeably at all times
• To help put in place clear “ways of working” for the development team, so they understand what “good” looks like. Set benchmark ahead of the competition
• Ensure that all products developed are in line with company strategy
• Ensure that all developments are well communicated to all internal functions
• Ensure all customer NPD plans are regularly reviewed & updated
• To ensure that product benchmarking and new product panels are being carried out both internally & externally (with customers) across all our categories
• Ensure a clear defined critical path is available for key stakeholders and is constantly updated
• Follow products through to 1^st factory trials and then launch
• Work hands-on in the kitchen where required
• Ensure that the NPD team work with a “can-do” attitude challenging and innovating ahead of our competitors
• Work closely with account managers to bring direction & NPD focus
• Project Manage multiple projects through multiple sites

Innovation & Market Awareness

• To ensure a rolling NPD program with aligned customer through projected NPD plans
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the food retailing market, e.g. via trade press, food magazines & competitor shopping, to ensure development of cutting edge & market leading products
• Carry out all necessary benchmarking activity on a regular basis
• Attend/Lead innovation, brainstorming & ingredient workshops when required
• To have a strong awareness of consumer trends – work closely with marketing to improve customer insight

Customer Skills

• Develop strong & lasting relationships with customers by continual communications by way of updates and NPD plans
• Present new products & upgrades to the customer in a professional manner, demonstrating your bakery, food ingredient & process knowledge & expertise. Preparing samples, presentation packs & any theatre required
• Working ahead of the brief

Others

• To coordinate and communicate the status of all NPD projects
• Ensure a close working relationship with the Sales team
• Attend internal & external taste panels when required
• Attend and lead weekly NPD meetings
• Attend site development meetings when possible
• Evaluate new & existing raw materials when required
• Conduct store visits on a regular basis
• Ensure a close working relationship with the aligned site
• To be aware of and comply with customer brand standards and FSA standards

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE/ SKILLS

• Food Manufacturing experience is essential
• Experience in an NPD manager role with retail customer experience (Co-op preferred)
• Great project & time management skills
• Skills & experience of customer contact including presentations
• Drive & impetus to go out & seek new ideas and drive to launch
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills at all levels
• Able to work both as an individual & a team player
• Need to be creative and have a thirst for knowledge
• Not frightened to challenge the “norm”
• Ability to create a favourable first impression, project yourself well and present with confidence
• Have an outgoing & confident approach
• Basic computer literacy – excel, word, PowerPoint
• Demonstrate an above standard knowledge & understanding of food
• Excellent presentation skills

COMPETENCIES

• Problem Solving
• Strong leadership skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to think outside of the box
• Dealing with difficult situations
• Good interpersonal Skills
• Building and leading teams
• Developing people
• Ability to work under pressure