Head of Npd

We are looking for a head of NPD that is focussed on delivering best-in-class NPD ways of working implementing process across our manufacturing sites, and building high-performing teams with a positive culture. You will be a key member of our innovation leadership team, supporting our ambitious growth plans and overall implementation process.

This role is a unique opportunity in our new business with a newly created role to lead the site NPD teams, implement best practice, and deliver a standardised approach across our teams. The role will be instrumental in implementing best in class food development process, with site development teams reporting to this role. The role will work closely with our site directors and site teams to ensure the innovation strategy is clear to all stakeholders and implemented efficiently across the manufacturing sites. The role will support site NPD teams to deliver best-in-class service to our customers through effective line management and stakeholder engagements, in addition to unlocking our manufacturing capability to drive growth and support our operational excellence programme. This is a truly dynamic role, with the opportunity to forge strong relationships across our total business. With frequent travel in between sites, a well-organised and proactive approach is essential.

As part of your responsibilities, you will implement standardised methods of working across all production sites using a stage-gate process, show efficiency, demonstrate right-first-time launches, increase profitability and conversion ratios, reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) on new product development and upcoming product development.

Furthermore, you will work with the head of process development to future-proof our manufacturing facilities, while maintaining commercial advantage against the competition, and supporting our operational excellence program through cost-saving initiatives and incorporation of best practices into new product development and providing a strategic overview of site capabilities and CAPEX recommendations to support innovation growth pipelines, in collaboration with the head of customer innovation.

The NPD teams on site will be under your leadership and you will develop individuals to deliver best-in-class development practices along with the recipe costing and project management systems.

We are looking for an individual that can demonstrate leadership and a proven track record of implementing best practice ways of working, with a positive culture, and with extensive experience in product development. Driving license and flexibility to travel is essential.