Head of R&D, NPD & Innovation CV-Library Head of R&D, NPD & Innovation

Scienceabode; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering personal care brand focused on sustainability is looking for a Head of R&D and NPD. This remote position requires visits to the Bristol office twice a month. The successful candidate will manage product lifecycles, create essential reporting dashboards, and drive innovation within the high-growth sustainable market. Qualifications include a relevant degree and 3+ years of NPD experience in the personal care sector, along with skills in process design and financial modelling. The role offers a competitive salary and substantial benefits.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Wellbeing & Social Responsibility: 2 dedicated well-being days

Performance Incentive: Access to a Bonus scheme based on company success

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in New Product Development in the personal care sector.
• Experience in the sustainable products sector is advantageous.
• Comfortable switching between practical experiments and high-level strategy.

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive plans for product development and technical activities.
• Manage the product lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Prepare detailed Bills of Materials for new product lines.
• Create dashboards for tracking pipeline and forecasts.
• Select and onboard strategic partners across the supply chain.

Skills

Polymer Chemistry

Materials Science

New Product Development

Process Design

Techno-Economic Analysis

Education

Qualification in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Head of R&D and NPD

Remote, with a requirement to attend the Bristol office twice a month.

Salary: Up to £80,000

The company is a founder‑led organisation, proudly B Corp certified, operating within the high‑growth sustainable personal care market. This pioneering brand exclusively uses organic products and is actively challenging industry norms. The successful candidate will join a mission‑driven business focused on innovation and environmental responsibility.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

• Remote Working with only 2 mandatory days a month required in Bristol.
• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing & Social Responsibility: 2 dedicated well‑being days and 2 days of paid volunteering.
• Performance Incentive: Access to a Bonus scheme based on company success.

What will you do as Head of R&D and NPD

• Delivering comprehensive plans across the full range of technical, New Product Development (NPD), and commercial activities.
• Managing the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept generation through to successful market launch.
• Preparing a detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) for each new product line to ensure cost accuracy.
• Creating essential dashboards for pipeline tracking, forecast analysis, margin monitoring, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) gates.
• Preparing data rooms, grant reporting documentation, and the compelling investor narrative.
• Selecting and onboarding strategic partners across the supply chain, negotiating Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) and capacity contracts.

What will you need to be the Head of R&D and NPD

• A qualification in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific field is required.
• A minimum of 3 years' proven experience in New Product Development (NPD), specifically within the personal care sector.
• The candidate must be comfortable switching seamlessly between practical benchtop experiments and high‑level boardroom strategy.
• Experience working within the sustainable products sector is highly advantageous.
• Proven capability in process design and Techno‑Economic Analysis (TEA) / Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) modelling is essential for financial viability.

Salary

£60,000 – £80,000 per annum