The Newt in Somerset
New Product Development Manager - Food
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New Product Development Manager – Food
Up to £50,000 per annum plus performance bonus and great benefits
40 hours per week across 5 days, Monday–Friday. Based onsite – BA7
Due to the location of the Estate, a driving licence is recommended for this role.
No chef experience needed for this role
Advert closes: Monday 27th July - 5pm
Turn exceptional food ideas into standout products that our customers will love.
Our New Product Development Manager – Food
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of The Newt’s food ranges. Leading products from the first spark of an idea through to launch, you will combine creativity, commercial thinking and a passion for exceptional food. Working across our bakery, creamery, butchery, prepared foods and externally sourced ranges, you will bring teams and suppliers together to create products that deliver on quality, provenance, innovation and commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of food products across our internal manufacturing units and externally sourced ranges.
- Manage the complete product development journey, from initial concept and commercial assessment through to stage-gate approval and launch.
- Assess product viability through accurate costings, minimum order quantities, product formats, forecasts and critical-path planning.
- Lead and develop the New Product Development team, setting clear priorities, objectives and performance expectations.
- Manage packaging development and prepare accurate, compliant artwork briefs for internal and external partners.
- Build strong supplier relationships, negotiate commercial terms and identify new products, suppliers and innovations.
- Partner with Technical, Marketing, Buying, Merchandising, Retail and Systems teams to deliver successful and compliant launches.
- Own range sign-off, manage project risks and present clear commercial recommendations to key stakeholders.
What we can offer
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- A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
- Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
- Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
- Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
- Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
- Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
- Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
- Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
- Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
- We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
- Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
- A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
- Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.
What we're looking for
- Strong experience in food product development across chilled, frozen or ambient categories.
- A thorough understanding of NPD processes, project management, packaging, supply chains and critical-path delivery.
- Commercial confidence, with the ability to analyse costs, product viability and financial performance.
- Experience building supplier relationships and negotiating pricing, lead times and commercial terms.
- An inspiring and people-focused leader who enjoys coaching and developing others.
- Good knowledge of food safety, allergen legislation and UK food-labelling requirements.
- An organised, resilient and detail-focused approach, with the ability to manage multiple fast-moving projects.
- A collaborative and influential communicator with a genuine passion for food, quality, trends and innovation.
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Where you'll be working
The Product team is responsible for developing, sourcing and maintaining The Newt's product ranges across food and retail categories. Working closely with internal production teams, Buying, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail and Technical, the department ensures products meet the business's quality, commercial and brand standards. The team manages products throughout their lifecycle, from concept and development through to launch and continuous improvement, while maintaining a strong focus on provenance, quality, innovation and customer experience.
Who are we- The Newt in Somerset
Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences
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