FMCG NPD Project Manager

Our client is a global leader in food manufacturing selling products in over 100 countries with 25 factories worldwide. They are currently looking for an NPD Project Manager to be based at their Frome site in Somerset.

This is an excellent opportunity to join this exciting company and support the growth they are experiencing. They are a great company to work for offering superb career progression and job satisfaction. Reporting to the Innovation Manager, this role supports the development and optimisation of the company’s product range in line with the strategy defined by the business.

FMCG NPD Project Manager Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

Working with the major retailers in the UK you will be the main point of contact for development from brief to launch.

* Be your customers main point of contact for development, optimisation and improvement projects from brief to launch.

* Be a pivotal contact between all departments to ensure a smooth launch of the new products or changes in the factory.

* Manage end to end packaging development with the right process and legal checks through to sign off either for development projects and design or legal updates.

* Develop products, either pro-actively or in response to customer briefs.

* Manage the organization of the industrial trials, communicate the results, actions/improvements to be carried out and follow up on them. Ensure the products will be produced in the normal conditions on the current equipment, raise and communicate any concerns about possible difficulties.

* Understand and know how to use the pilot plant and development lab, suggest improvements and notify breakdowns/malfunctions.

* Liaise with other departments to ensure new products, processes and ingredients. Meet production, quality and legal requirements alongside with customers’ requirements.

FMCG NPD Project Manager Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a similar role and therefore will be aware of the expectation to be professionally mature and be able to demonstrate the ability to influence, convince and motivate others.

* Dairy and NPD experience within the food industry ideally.

* They will consider a relatively fresh graduate with some experience.

* Ideally a detailed project manager.

* Flexibility through working additional hours or change of working day at short notice.

* Hands on attitude.

* Excellent communication skills both written and oral. Good at selling ideas.

* Prioritisation and handling complexity: capacity and capability to lead and deliver multiple projects in parallel.

* Ability to work unsupervised and achieve results within tight deadlines.

* Excellent educational background (degree in food technology or food science)

The ideal candidate should display 4 essentials qualities

1. Passionate about food

2. Fast learning. Ability to assimilate new information and knowledge efficiently

3. Driven and determinate to achieve results

4. Able to work in a fast-paced environment

FMCG NPD Project Manager Company Package

* Market Leader in their products and sector

* Company pension 6%* employer contribution (*subject to contract)

* 25 days holiday + Bank holidays

* Company sick pay

* 4 x Death in Service

* Wellbeing initiatives – Free eye tests, £90 contribution to prescription lenses

* Full training will be given

If you would like to apply for this role, please send an up to date copy of your CV to Kate Evans as soon as possible quoting reference GP275