Product Development Manager

New Product Development Manager

Salary: up to £65,000 per annum

Hours: Monday – Friday

Reporting to: Head of NPD

• Manage, mentor, and support the development of the NPD Team.
• Deputise for the Head of NPD as required, supporting leadership continuity across the department.
• Develop new recipes in collaboration with the Head of NPD, both internally and with flavour houses, in response to customer briefs.
• Translate market trends into commercially viable concepts, both for branded projects and proactive customer proposals.
• Adapt recipes to meet factory requirements and support the scale-up and optimisation of manufacturing processes.
• Manage multiple product development projects from concept through to launch, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Create and maintain detailed project timelines (critical paths) to drive accountability and transparency across departments.
• Coordinate and manage all product trials and first productions, ensuring successful handover to operations.
• Attend and contribute to customer and supplier meetings, responding to queries and supporting ongoing development projects.
• Present new product concepts and final developments to customers.
• Write and approve finished product specifications in accordance with customer and legal requirements.
• Review and approve product artworks, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.
• Support the supplier and raw material approval process where necessary.
• Ensure all development work is conducted in full compliance with BRCGS requirements, customer standards and relevant food legislation.
• Remain up to date with food industry regulations and act as a member of the HACCP team.
• Maintain accurate production documentation for all products, including management of case and pallet label controls.
• Gather and review production data from trials and launches to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct regular benchmarking and research into market trends, emerging ingredients, and evolving consumer preferences.
• Use insight to inform NPD pipeline planning and inspire new concept creation.
• Flexibility to travel to customers, suppliers, or manufacturing sites as required by the role.

• 5+ years’ experience in a development role
• Level 4 HACCP and Level 4 Food Safety within Manufacturing qualifications
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience of working with retailers and/or brands.
• Be able to prioritize where applicable and work to deadlines.
• A good knowledge of the manufacturing process.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, including HACCP and BRC requirements
• Ability to use specification systems and software for managing technical documents.
• Provide technical support to enable the business to meet food safety, legality, and specific customer requirements.

• Associate

• Full-time

• Product Management

• Food and Beverage Services
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing

For more information please get in touch with Imperial Recruitment Group.

Location:

Knaresborough, England, United Kingdom