Pilgrim's Europe
NPI Manager, NPI Manager

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NPI Manager
Location: Hyde
Department: Product & Innovation
Drive Innovation from Concept to Launch
We're looking for an experienced NPI Manager to join our Product & Innovation team at Hyde.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a food manufacturing professional with strong project management and leadership experience to take ownership of the end-to-end NPI process, ensuring successful product launches that meet customer, technical, operational, and commercial requirements.
Working closely with Development, Operations, Technical, Engineering, Commercial, and Customer teams, you'll lead the delivery of new products from approval through trials and first production, ensuring projects are delivered right first time and on schedule.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the NPI team, prioritising workload and ensuring successful project delivery.
- Drive new product launches through trials, validation, and first production runs.
- Manage critical paths, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to customer expectations.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including NPD, Operations, Technical, Engineering, and Commercial.
- Lead factory trials, product validations, shelf-life assessments, and process sign-off activities.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement, yield improvement, and cost-saving initiatives.
- Approve specifications, recipes, artwork, and technical documentation.
- Support site investment projects, process improvements, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Develop and coach team members to maximise performance and career development.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
- Degree qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
- Experience in a Process Manager, NPI Manager, or Process Development role within food manufacturing.
- Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
- Knowledge of food legislation, food safety, and product labelling requirements.
- Proven experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.


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Desirable
- High-volume food manufacturing experience.
- Culinary or product development knowledge.
- Experience delivering customer-facing NPI projects.
- Strong understanding of continuous improvement and factory processes.
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
Benefits Include
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Employee discount platform
- Ongoing training and development
- Career progression opportunities within a leading food manufacturing business
If you're passionate about innovation, process improvement, and bringing exciting new products to market, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of food innovation at Pilgrim's Europe!
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