NPD Project Manager

Company Description

Finedale Foods is a specialist UK manufacturer of frozen and chilled foods, committed to the highest standards of food safety, quality, and innovation. We provide contract manufacturing solutions to a diverse range of customers, including retailers, food service distributors, and the travel sector. Our modern facility in Bunwell, Norfolk handles a wide variety of ingredients and processes, producing both cooked and ready-to-eat products, with capabilities ranging from artisan pastry products to complex Asian cooking pastes.

Role Description

The role combines the creativity of turning customer briefs into exciting new products and the rigour of ensuring the project framework is followed to deliver combined commercial value, whilst allowing for production needs.

Project manage product development for the Frank Dale brand, own-label and co-manufacturing partners across a wide range of product types from concept to launch. Show diligence and determination to deliver commercially successful projects, driving product launches and changes across the business.

Primary Responsibilities

NPD Project Management

• Manage NPD projects end-to-end, from product brief to launch, using the stage gate system as the project framework and ensuring necessary sign-offs at each milestone.
• Develop project plans, critical paths, and timelines, setting priorities and coordinating project progression to successful completion.
• Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks to ensure project delivery on time and within agreed costs.
• Facilitate seamless transition of projects into Production, including:
• Defining project scope, conducting team briefings, and managing the Change Control and sign-off processes.
• Creating accurate product costings, submitting to customers, and meeting product cost targets.
• Ensuring all new product development (NPD) and existing product development (EPD) efforts are professionally coordinated and presented to customers, including preparing presentations or information sheets.
• Overseeing new raw materials needed for projects, including specifications.
• Reduce complexity within the organisation by supporting ingredient and recipe rationalisation, leveraging existing resources effectively.

NPD Project Tasks

• Establish and maintain credibility across the business and with external stakeholders, fostering collaboration to achieve project goals.
• Assist with managing new raw materials and related specifications.
• Creating and sourcing information for new line forms and factory documentation.
• Support packaging design and sign-off for new printed packaging and labels.
• Act as the custodian of nutritional data for products.
• Observe production trials and new product launches in production areas, conducting post-trial meetings to gather feedback, review processes, and make improvements.

Product Development Team Management

• Line manage the product development team and/or manage external resources as needed to support product development and project objectives.

Technical Support

• Support the Technical team during BRC audits, presenting relevant new product development information to auditors.
• Participate actively in HACCP processes and cross-functional communication on technical requirements, including quality management systems (QMS), quality attribute sheets (QAS), and product specifications.

Secondary Responsibilities

Product Development and Innovation Support

• Apply in-depth knowledge of Finedale Foods' manufacturing capabilities, processes, and limitations to guide development efforts.
• Demonstrate passion for product innovation by tracking industry trends within the frozen food industry, leveraging design and trend insights to inspire new products.
• Assist if required with taste panels to ensure products meet specifications and QA standards.

Technical Customer Support

• Assist with technical customer requests, including providing information and managing sample requests.