NPD Manager

Alexander Steele are working in partnership with an international leading food manufacturing business who are passionate about their products, customers and their employees. An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen in the business for an NPD Manager to join them on site in Dublin. Reporting to the Head of NPD & Food Safety, the NPD Manager will play a key role in developing and launching new and existing product concepts, project managing these from concept through to launch on time and to cost, whilst ensuring that Quality standards are upheld. In this varied role you will build strong effective relationships with key stakeholders within the customer base and internally so as to be on the forefront of customer briefs and NPD teams within our bakeries. You will be the main point of contact for Specific customer technical queries, resolve issues and management customer technical request, manage customer visits to sites, including external site visits, where necessary and ensuring positive outcomes. Main Duties & Responsibilities include: • Ensure that all new products are developed in line with product briefs. • Ensuring knowledge of new product development across the group and the suitability of them for UK retailers. • Clearly communicate development briefs to each site and have constant communication through the entire development process. • Ensure that all raw materials sourced, evaluated and are in line with preferred suppliers & customer brand standards. • Ensure that product benchmarking and new product panels are being carried out both internally & externally (with customers) across all our categories • Ensure the business is at the forefront of innovation and aware of new competitor launches and current food trends. • Work hands-on in the test kitchen where required. • Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the food retailing market • Develop strong & lasting relationships with customers by continual communications, demonstrating your food ingredient & process knowledge & expertise. Preparing samples, presentation packs & any theatre required. • Attend internal & external taste panels when required • To be aware of and comply with customer brand standards and FSA standard To be successful in this role you will require: • Experience in an NPD manager role with retail customer experience • Great project & time management skills • Love of food and deep knowledge of food trends • Skills & experience of customer contact including presentations • Has the drive to go and seek new ideas and drive to launch • Excellent interpersonal & communication skills at all levels • Able to work both as an individual & a team player • Must be creative and have a thirst for knowledge • Not afraid to challenge the “norm” • Project yourself well and present with confidence • Have an outgoing & confident approach • Good MS Office working knowledge (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) • Demonstrate an above standard knowledge & understanding of food • Excellent presentation skills If you think this could be the role for you please apply with an up to date CV. For more information please contact Tracey at Alexander Steele Recruitment on 0131 370 9191 or email tracey.fleming@alexandersteele.com