NPD Manager

New Product Development Manager

Privately Owned Food Manufacturer
Recruiting via Alexander Steele Recruitment

Alexander Steele Recruitment is partnering with a long‑established, privately owned and family‑run food manufacturing business to identify a talented New Product Development Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for an NPD professional who enjoys transforming concepts into commercially successful products that perform consistently in a manufacturing environment - not just in the kitchen.

This position offers full responsibility for the company’s NPD and product renovation programme. From initial idea generation through to launch, you’ll oversee the entire development lifecycle, ensuring products are commercially viable, technically robust, and operationally deliverable.

Working alongside senior leaders and cross‑functional teams, you’ll combine creativity with structure — delivering innovation that meets specification, timescales, and production requirements. The business operates in a fast‑moving environment and values clarity, accountability, and practical execution. If you take pride in seeing your products on shelf and running efficiently in the factory, this role will appeal.

• Lead end‑to‑end new product development and existing product improvement projects
• Develop and refine recipes in a hands‑on capacity within the development kitchen
• Manage and lead factory trials, scaling products from concept to repeatable production
• Partner closely with Operations, Technical, and Commercial teams to manage risk and resolve challenges
• Oversee a structured NPD pipeline, ensuring clear priorities, deadlines, and ownership
• Work collaboratively with suppliers on ingredients, functionality, and cost efficiency
• Monitor market trends, consumer insight, and competitor activity, converting findings into commercially sound product opportunities aligned to both customer demand and manufacturing capability

• Demonstrable experience in food manufacturing NPD, ideally within chilled and/or ambient categories
• Proven track record of delivering products from concept through factory trial to launch
• Strong practical formulation and recipe development skills, with a hands‑on approach
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of ingredient functionality, cost pressures, and customer expectations
• Highly organised, delivery‑focused, and comfortable managing multiple projects in a dynamic environment
• Confident communicator with sound judgement and a commitment to standards and execution

Full‑time is preferred; however, the business is open to considering a three‑ or four‑day working week for the right individual.

This opportunity would suit someone seeking genuine ownership, visibility, and influence — rather than a purely desk‑based NPD position.

For more information, please contact Alexander Steele Recruitment in confidence