Head of NPD – 7005
- Downpatrick, Co Down
- £negotiable
- Permanent
- Ref: 7005
The Company
An established, award-winning food manufacturing business with a strong reputation for producing high-quality chilled food products. The company has developed an extensive portfolio across a range of chilled categories, supplying major UK retailers with products spanning everyday favourites and premium offerings.
With a strong customer base and a reputation for bringing new ideas to market, the business operates in a fast-moving and highly competitive sector, continually responding to changing consumer tastes, food trends and evolving customer needs. Its focus on quality, product development and innovation has established it as a recognised name within the UK chilled food market.
The Role
An exciting opportunity for a strategic and commercially driven Head of Food to lead and deliver the company’s product development & innovation pipeline. Reporting into the Group NPD & Innovation Director, you will be responsible for setting and delivering the overall innovation strategy.
You will develop robust 1-3 year innovation pipelines, translating customer strategies, consumer insights and emerging food trends into commercially successful products across key customers and categories.
Working closely with major UK retail customers, you will act as a senior innovation partner, building strategic relationships and leading customer presentations, innovation sessions and range reviews. You will oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from identifying new opportunities and creating concepts through to factory scale-up, launch and post-launch evaluation, ensuring the delivery of exceptional product quality, commercial viability and operational feasibility.
You will also lead, coach and develop a high-performing product development team, providing clear direction, driving accountability and building future capability. Working cross-functionally across the business, you will ensure product development is effectively prioritised and resourced, while identifying opportunities for investment, innovation and sustainable business growth.
The Person
You will be a highly experienced NPD professional, with a proven track record of leading innovation within a fast-paced food manufacturing or FMCG environment. You will have extensive experience working with major UK grocery retailers and a strong understanding of the retail food market, consumer behaviour and category dynamics. Ideally, you will have experience across multiple food categories, with exposure to complex chilled food categories.
A strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and an excellent instinct for food, you will be equally comfortable developing long-term innovation strategies, presenting to senior stakeholders and customers, and engaging with operational teams on the factory floor.
You will be an inspiring leader with experience building and developing high-performing teams, alongside the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive projects through to successful delivery.
Above all, you will be passionate about food innovation, commercially focused and motivated by the opportunity to shape the future direction of a growing food business. Apply or call Dhrutee for more information or a confidential chat. 0345 2600 737 or 07700 137 110
Ref: 7005
Due to the large number of applications our opportunities attract, it sometimes takes us time to thoroughly review and consider them all. We endeavour to respond to every application within 5 working days, however if you have not heard from us within this timeframe, we are sorry to say your application for the role has not been successful. To support you in showcasing your best self, we make sure that any necessary accommodations, whether physical or non-physical, are provided to assist you throughout the job application and interview process.
Also, please note that we are only able to accept and respond to applications from candidates with eligibility to work in the UK and those who hold valid work visas.
