Product Development Manager

Location: Leeming Bar

Salary: £55,000 per annum

Type: Permanent

Hours: Monday – Friday

Purpose:

The Product Development Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the NPD (New Product Development) department. They will oversee all product development activities from concept to launch, ensuring that all products are safe, legally compliant, and meet customer expectations and requirements. In addition to product innovation, the role involves contributing to the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes. The manager will build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, suppliers, and customers to support successful project delivery and long-term business growth.

Duties:

Manage, mentor, and support the development of the NPD Team.

Deputise for the Head of NPD as required, supporting leadership continuity across the department.

Develop new recipes in collaboration with the Head of NPD, both internally and with flavour houses, in response to customer briefs.

Translate market trends into commercially viable concepts, both for branded projects and proactive customer proposals.

Adapt recipes to meet factory requirements and support the scale-up and optimisation of manufacturing processes.

Manage multiple product development projects from concept through to launch, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to specification.

Create and maintain detailed project timelines (critical paths) to drive accountability and transparency across departments.

Coordinate and manage all product trials and first productions, ensuring successful handover to operations.

Attend and contribute to customer and supplier meetings, responding to queries and supporting ongoing development projects.

Present new product concepts and final developments to customers.

Write and approve finished product specifications in accordance with customer and legal requirements.

Review and approve product artworks, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.

Support the supplier and raw material approval process where necessary.

Ensure all development work is conducted in full compliance with BRCGS requirements, customer standards and relevant food legislation.

Remain up to date with food industry regulations and act as a member of the HACCP team.

Maintain accurate production documentation for all products, including management of case and pallet label controls.

Gather and review production data from trials and launches to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Conduct regular benchmarking and research into market trends, emerging ingredients, and evolving consumer preferences.

Use insight to inform NPD pipeline planning and inspire new concept creation.

Flexibility to travel to customers, suppliers, or manufacturing sites as required by the role.

Requirements:

5+ years’ experience in a development role

Level 4 HACCP and Level 4 Food Safety within Manufacturing qualifications

Strong attention to detail

Experience of working with retailers and/or brands.

Be able to prioritize where applicable and work to deadlines.

A good knowledge of the manufacturing process.

Knowledge of food safety regulations, including HACCP and BRC requirements

Ability to use specification systems and software for managing technical documents.

Provide technical support to enable the business to meet food safety, legality, and specific customer requirements.

For more information please get in touch with Imperial Recruitment Group