Head of R&D, NPD & Innovation

Head of R&D and NPD Remote, with a requirement to attend the Bristol office twice a month. Salary:
Up to £80,000 The company is a founder-led organisation, proudly B Corp certified, operating within the high-growth sustainable personal care market. This pioneering brand exclusively uses organic products and is actively challenging industry norms. The successful candidate will join a mission-driven business focused on innovation and environmental responsibility. What’s on Offer? (Competitive Compensation and Benefits)
* The Head of R&D and NPD will benefit from a flexible, supportive package
* Remote Working with only 2 mandatory days a month required in Bristol.
* Generous Annual Leave: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
* Wellbeing & Social Responsibility: 2 dedicated well-being days and 2 days of paid volunteering.
* Performance Incentive:
Access to a Bonus scheme based on company success. What will you do as Head of R&D and NPD
* Delivering comprehensive plans across the full range of technical, New Product Development (NPD), and commercial activities.
* Managing the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept generation through to successful market launch.
* Preparing a detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) for each new product line to ensure cost accuracy.
* Creating essential dashboards for pipeline tracking, forecast analysis, margin monitoring, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) gates.
* Preparing data rooms, grant reporting documentation, and the compelling investor narrative.
* Selecting and onboarding strategic partners across the supply chain, negotiating Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) and capacity contracts. What will you need to be the Head of R&D and NPD
* A qualification in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific field is required.
* A minimum of 3 years' proven experience in New Product Development (NPD), specifically within the personal care sector.
* The candidate must be comfortable switching seamlessly between practical benchtop experiments and high-level boardroom strategy.
* Experience working within the sustainable products sector is highly advantageous.
* Proven capability in process design and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) / Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) modelling is essential for financial viability. Job Number: 10224