Job Description
Senior Product Development Manager (NPD)nLocation: South London (4 days on-site, 1 day WFH)nSalary: £60,000 – £65,000 + discretionary bonusnContract: PermanentnThe OpportunitynA well-established and growing food manufacturing business is seeking a Senior Product Development Manager to lead its NPD function during an exciting phase of expansion.nWith ambitious plans to significantly scale over the next five years, the business is looking for a high-performing, motivated individual to take ownership of an already well-established product development function and drive it forward.nThis is a key leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape strategy, influence customers, and play a central part in delivering innovative, market-leading food-to-go products.nThe RolenReporting into senior leadership, you will lead the NPD function and manage a small team, working closely with both the chef function and wider operational teams.nYou will take full ownership of the product development critical path, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently from concept through to launch. Acting as the central point of contact across internal departments and external customers, you will ensure alignment, quality, and commercial success across all product initiatives.nThis role requires a strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, excellent project management capability, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.nKey Responsibilitiesn * Lead and develop the NPD function, managing a small team and driving performancen * Own and continuously improve the end-to-end product development critical pathn * Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery to deadlinen * Act as the key interface between internal teams (including chefs and operations) and external customersn * Translate customer briefs into commercially viable, high-quality productsn * Ensure strong cross-functional collaboration across development, production, and technical teamsn * Maintain a deep understanding of market trends, particularly within food-to-gon * Conduct benchmarking and gap analysis to ensure products remain competitiven * Build strong, credible relationships with customers and stakeholdersnAbout Youn * Minimum 5 years’ experience in an NPD Manager or Senior NPD role within food manufacturing (Ideally Chilled or Food to Go)n * Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes (essential)n * Experience managing projects end-to-end across the full product lifecyclen * Proven team management or leadership experiencen * Strong customer-facing experience with the ability to build and maintain relationshipsn * Background in food categories such as food-to-go or chilled products (highly desirable)n * Experience working within fast-paced, high-volume production environmentsn * Highly organised, process-driven, and commercially awaren * Confident communicator with the ability to influence at all levelsnWhat’s On Offern * Salary of £60,000 – £65,000 depending on experiencen * Discretionary company bonusn * Hybrid working (4 days on-site, 1 day from home)n * Opportunity to lead and evolve a well-established NPD functionn * Key role within a business with strong growth ambitionsn * Collaborative and high-performing working environment
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