NPD manager, Devon

Job Description

Are you looking for a hands-on NPD Manager role, where you could grow a team, work with major UK clients within a family-owned successful food manufacturer? Then please read below –

As part of a developing food production facility, product development and innovation are vital to future success. The role of an NPD Manager is to manage the development of products and enhance existing products to meet customer expectations and support company growth and profitability.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
• Management of the department process – preparing and documenting product samples and specifications in accordance with company procedures.
• Managing existing and new customer development requirements via through effective and frequent communication.
• Ensuring relevant ingredients and packaging are available to prepare samples in a timely manner.
• Planning and organising the product development process and production trials.
• Collating data, taking photographs/videos, and conducting product breakdowns for post-trial reviews.
• Making improvements or modifications to current processes and products.
• Formulating new production processes.
• Generating ideas for new products and researching feasibility to support profitability and compliance.
• Reporting on market trends and new competitive developments
• Analysis and reporting of internal and external data to support good company decision making.
• Reviewing competitor benchmarking sessions and product breakdowns including shopping, panels, and results.
• Ensure the kitchen areas are maintained in a clean and tidy manner in accordance with procedures.

What will be expected of you?
• A background in food preparation and manufacture is required, with experience in product development specifically desirable.
• To be well-organised, able to maintain focus under pressure to meet internal and external project deadlines.
• The ability to work equally and efficiently as part of a team and on your own, using your initiative in a confident, positive and proactive manner.
• To provide effective communication, dealing with colleagues across company departments, suppliers, and customers. always Acting as an ambassador for the company.
• Accurate data collation and presentation with excellent written and numerical skills with experience of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.

General
• To be prepared to undertake training that the Company considers would be beneficial.
• To work in accordance with the clients’ policies and procedures.
• To be prepared to perform such other duties as reasonably required by the company.
• Expansion plans for the future!
• The business has a lovely family culture to it.
• You will have exposure to major customers in the UK.

Benefits
• Holiday Entitlement: 32 Days – The business operates as normal on all bank holiday days except for Christmas Day. The candidate may be expected to work the other bank holidays as normal, unless pre-arranged and booked off using your holiday allowance.
• Time back in Lieu of any over time.
Flexibility is a requirement of the role. Due to the nature of the business, the successful candidate may be required to be flexible with their start and finish times, days of the week worked and provide department cover where and when required.
• Standard government pension.
• Relooking at benefits package to add more.