NPD Manager
North Dublin
Fulltime/Permanent
Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
Salary Competitive DOE

Vickerstock are working in partnership with our Irish client who are fresh food manufacturers located in North Dublin. Supplying products to both retail and food service sectors across Ireland. Currently seeking a fulltime/permanent NPD Manager for their site located in North Dublin.

Under the Managing Director's guidance, you will lead the development of innovative, market-ready food products. This role requires expertise in Irish food trends, regulatory compliance, and industry standards, with a focus on creativity and sustainability. Collaborating with Sales, Marketing, Technical, and Production teams, you will drive concepts to successful product launches for domestic and international markets.

Key Responsibilities
Innovation Leadership & Product Development

• Drive the creation of innovative, high-quality food products, focusing on market trends, consumer preferences, and sustainability.
• Lead the NPD team, fostering collaboration and ensuring a strong pipeline of trend-driven, scalable product solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Engagement

• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and technical teams to align product development with company goals and customer needs.
• Manage customer projects from concept to launch, ensuring quality, adherence to timelines, and satisfaction.

Sustainable Sourcing & Sensory Excellence

• Source sustainable ingredients and packaging while meeting safety and regulatory standards.
• Conduct sensory analyses and benchmarking to refine products for superior taste, texture, and market competitiveness.

Project & Process Management

• Oversee the end-to-end product development process, including market research, concept creation, and commercialization.
• Implement stage-gate processes and ensure efficient resource allocation to meet profitability and production goals.

Communication & Reporting

• Present product concepts, insights, and progress to stakeholders and customers, inspiring confidence in innovation efforts.
• Maintain detailed documentation and provide regular updates on project milestones and key learnings.

You must have:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
• At least 4 years of experience in new product development within food manufacturing.
• Proven expertise in ingredient sourcing, recipe formulation, sensory analysis, and product gap analysis.
• Strong knowledge of product scalability, cost management, and stage-gate development processes.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and collaborating with customers on market-ready products.
• Familiarity with sustainability practices in food sourcing and packaging, especially in Irish and European markets.

In return you will receive:

• Competitive salary DOE
• 20 days annual leave
• Free meals on site
• Continuous career development
• Bike to work scheme
• Retail discount card

Sound like the career move you've been after and would like to hear more, pick up the phone to Sophie now on 01 5267473 or send an updated CV - in Word format - via the link on the page (or email).

If this opportunity doesn't quite get the taste buds flowing but like me you are passionate about food, let's get a chat and see how I can help grow your career.
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