Product Development Manager

A leading food manufacturing business in Shropshire is seeking an experienced NPD Manager to join their team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the development and delivery of innovative, high-quality food products for one of the UK’s most recognisable retail brands. The site is well-established, fast-paced, and part of a wider group with strong growth and investment plans.

The ideal candidate will have strong commercial awareness, a passion for food innovation, and a proven track record in managing retailer-focused NPD pipelines from concept through to launch.

The NPD Manager will be responsible for leading the end-to-end New Product Development process, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to customer expectations.

• Lead the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) process, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the retailer’s technical and buying teams.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with technical, production, procurement, and commercial teams.
• Translate category insights, market trends, and consumer data into commercially viable product concepts.
• Oversee and support kitchen trials, factory trials, and pre-launch evaluations.
• Ensure all product development complies with customer and legislative standards.
• Support continuous improvement and drive innovation across product ranges.

• Proven experience in a similar NPD or Product Development role within chilled or meat food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of UK retailer expectations, ideally with experience managing one of the major supermarket accounts.
• Excellent project management skills with a hands-on and collaborative approach.
• Confident communicator able to influence at all levels.
• Passionate about food quality, innovation, and delivering customer satisfaction.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or related field is desirable

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.