ISQ Recruitment Ltd
NPD Manager
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Sector: Food Manufacturing
Location: East Midlands | Commutable from Kettering, Wellingborough, Market Harborough & surrounding areas
Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent | Onsite
Salary: To be discussed
Hours: Monday to Friday | Flexible start times
iSQ Recruitment are working with a trusted recruitment partner to support an ambitious and forward-thinking food manufacturer with their search for an NPD Manager. You will play a key role in shaping the next generation of innovative snack products.
The Role - NPD Manager
This is an excellent opportunity for a food-focused NPD professional to take ownership of a varied portfolio of NPD and EPD projects, working across a broad range of snack products and formats.
Please note:
- This is a fully site-based position with no hybrid working.
- Applicants must have full Right to Work in the UK as visa sponsorship is not available.
- A full UK driving licence and own vehicle are essential.
- Occasional travel to customer head offices may be required, with expenses covered.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage multiple NPD and EDP projects from initial brief through to launch.
- Develop new products, flavours, coatings, shapes and formats across a range of snack products.
- Work directly with major retail customers, presenting concepts, prototypes and project updates.
- Manage customer expectations, handle objections and communicate effectively around project challenges or delays.
- Constructively challenge customer requirements where necessary.
- Work closely with Commercial, Category, Production and Technical teams to deliver successful projects.
- Identify opportunities through consumer, category and wider food industry trends.
- Ensure projects meet commercial, technical, quality and manufacturing requirements and remain on track against agreed timescales.
- Bring creative ideas and a genuine passion for food innovation to the development process.
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Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Company Pension Scheme
- Flexible start times
- Monday to Friday working
- Expenses covered for occasional customer travel
- Ongoing investment in manufacturing and product development
- Employee recognition and development initiatives
- Death in Service
About You
- Proven experience in food manufacturing / food NPD.
- Strong customer-facing experience, ideally with major retailers or large food customers.
- Confident presenting to customers and explaining development decisions.
- Experience managing multiple NPD projects simultaneously.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Commercially aware and confident challenging requirements when necessary.
- Good understanding of food product development and manufacturing.
- Passionate about food, innovation and emerging consumer trends.
- Highly organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
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Why This Role?
This is more than a traditional product development position. You'll have the opportunity to work on a high volume of live NPD and EDP projects, engage directly with major retail customers and influence the development of products across a broad and evolving snacking portfolio.
The business is continuing to invest significantly in its manufacturing capability, equipment and product development, creating an environment where new ideas and innovation are encouraged.
To apply, please click Apply or send your CV to jobs@isqrecruitment.co.uk or for more information, please contact iSQ Recruitment on 01603 369500.
iSQ Recruitment Ltd is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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