NPD Manager
Malton, North Yorkshire
Site based
Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00
Salary up to £60,000
Pro-Pak Foods is a major supplier of delicious ready meals to many of the UK’s leading supermarkets and convenience stores. Our company, based in Malton, North Yorkshire, has built an excellent reputation over the last 25 years. Today, our chefs, working in partnership with our customers, have created a menu of more than 200 quality meals.
We are looking for an experienced NPD Manager who is knowledgeable in all areas of the food manufacturing environment, including health & safety, food hygiene and food safety.
The successful candidate will have exceptional people management skills to develop and manage a team of six focussed on development of new products, aiming to deliver best-in-class, creative, inspired and tasty food.
This person will ensure key parameters regarding quality and cost are delivered as part of the development programme. They will also take the lead role in key customer accounts, ensuring effective integration and influence with the customer is delivered directly or by utilising the team. This is a busy and demanding role and we are looking for focused, driven and experienced candidates.
If you can demonstrate creative thinking and experience of being first to market, we want to hear from you. This role is all about innovation. You will have 2,000 ingredients to inspire you and your creative side - and you will need to make certain that what you create can be produced in large batches by the factory.
Key Responsibilities:
Ensure the effective use of the NPD gate process from concept to product handover.
Be responsible for the NPD strategy.
Manage projects to ensure on-time product development in line with project timelines.
Review and evaluate success of new products and enhancements, ensuring key learning points are fed into future programmes.
Be part of broad commercial and marketing team to brainstorm concepts/ideas to identify niche markets for existing or new products.
Develop effective relationships with customers to facilitate the successful development of new products.
Manage the team to ensure delivery of cost-effective, successful new products that meet all technical and commercial requirements.
Oversee the liaison process with the process team to ensure effective and efficient concept-to-launch process.
Ensure the team deliver a full and comprehensive recording of process information and adherence to process work instructions.
Ensure on-going awareness of trends, materials and ingredients that deliver value to NPD process.
Present new product developments to key accounts/customers and influence them to deliver continued NPD growth for the business.
Manage all elements of your team and hold regular NPD meetings with the wider business.
Ensure you and your team are effective and trained in the latest NPD developments and processes.
Essential skills:
Degree or NVQ in food related subject
Extensive experience in leading a successful NPD team
Used to setting benchmarks in a complex and fast moving production environment
Excellent presentation skills
Strong influencing and communication skills
3-5 years' experience of recipe design and people management
Used to regular customer face-to-face engagement
Driving licence as visits to customers are essential
What we can offer you:
Salary up to £60,000
33 days’ holiday with an option to buy up to 5 more
Leadership Development Programme
Access to GroceryAid, which provides emotional, practical and financial support
Benefits and recognition hub, including amazing colleague discounts