Overview
NPD Manager required for large FMCG company based in South Tipperary. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, The overall purpose of this role is to manage the NPD function and team, working across both sites. Developing safe, stable and legal products to a high standard and to customer or internal brief. Transferring concepts from the kitchen to the production floor.
Key Responsibilities of the role are, but not limited to:-
- Lead the NPD function and ensure all activities are carried out to the highest possible standards
- Work closely with Commercial, Operations, Procurement and Quality Departments to fulfil the company objectives
- Have a thorough understanding of soft drink science
- Provide inductions, training and on-going support to the NPD team
- Be the first point of contact for any HR queries for the NPD Team
- Set priorities for the team that align with company goals and pick up the slack during unforeseen circumstances
- Lead process improvement projects and commission new lines and equipment
- Project manage cross-functional teams, and deliver objectives
- Maintain the Development Procedure and present it to auditors when require
- Develop fantastic tasting recipes that are safe, stable and legal
- Plan, manage and successfully execute production trials and launches
- Build relationships with colleagues in other functions and draw on these resources to increase your learning, meet deadlines and deliver projects
- Build great relationships with customers using a consultative approach – ensuring they trust your technical know-how
- Research methodologies and ingredients and feedback to the team, ensuring feedback is complete and backed up by multiple sources
- Manage the artwork approval process
- Be legislation-literate and be able to find, interpret and utilise relevant food law
- Write procedural and training documents
- Represent NPD at customer presentations, including travel off-site and internationally
- Conduct supplier visits for the NPD department if required
- Understand the market and keep on top of trends
- Produce professional presentation decks for customers and internal stakeholders
- Represent NPD on the HACCP team
- Be the Sensory Lead for both sites
Qualifications/ Experience/ Skills:
- BSc Food Science/Technology/Nutrition or related degree. Other food related non-science degree/qualifications would be considered.
- A minimum of 2 to 5 years industry experience in a product development related role in the Food and Drinks category would be an advantage.
- High energy, team player with strong record of meeting aggressive goals and objectives
- Strong product development & organisational skills
- Strong people & project management skills
- Strong attention to detail skills required.
- Good communication skills, self-starter, work under own initiative, good listener, assertive and highly motivated. Clear demonstration of an ability to provide guidance and motivation to others.
- Excellent PC skills are essential.
This is a fantastic Opportunity for a NPD Manager or a Senior Product Development Technologist with good experience to step up to a NPD Manager role