Senior NPD Manager

At Avondale Foods Ltd we are looking for a Senior NPD Manager to create new recipes and successfully transfer them from the kitchen to the factory, ensuring that they meet agreed customer specifications through an efficient manufacturing process.

What you will do:

Interpret briefs in line with customer expectation and company business plans Adjust recipe/ processes to suit existing systems or create new systems in line with business needs. Deal with numerous projects, taking them from concept to launch in accordance with strict critical path with all associated documentation (specs, costings, trial reports) Specifically manage key accounts and be in full control over customer presentations (internal & external) and the preparation of products, recipes, presentation booklets and photographic portfolio.

Monitor food, restaurant and wider industry trends, along with competitor activity and factors influencing consumer choice, and translate these insights into commercially viable product concepts. Translate food trends into relevant and commercially viable product development. Liaise & attend meetings internally & externally to perform duties and aid business development. Completion of documentation and recipe record keeping on the dedicated recipe system.

Understand site capabilities and attend development trials as required. Provide support to, and deputise for, the Head of Innovation when required, leading and managing the team, including the development and delivery of SMART objectives and individual development plans. Collaborate with the Head of Innovation to review existing ways of working, evaluate their effectiveness from both internal and external customer perspectives, and implement improvements to enhance the quality and delivery of outputs.

Line manage the NPD Technologist and NPD Graduate Technologist, providing training, support and day-to day workload management. Take responsibility for team members as required by the Head of Innovation.

Essential Criteria :
Effective verbal and written communication skills in English. Third-level qualification in a Food related discipline. Minimum of 2 years' NPD experience within the chilled fresh food industry Proven experience managing, leading and developing team members, including setting objectives and supporting individual development plans. Experience in working directly with major UK & Irish retailers, including presenting to customer technical and buying teams Computer Literate and competent with all Microsoft packages Proven experience managing multiple NPD projects simultaneously, working to critical paths and launch deadlines Knowledge of current food trends, competitor products and nutrition and health claims legislation

Skills:

New Production Development Food Manufacturing Benefits:
Health Benefits Canteen On-site car parking HBB Length of Service Rewards