New Product Development (NPD) Manager

Laurenshekwerk; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food development company in Peterborough seeks a New Product Development (NPD) Manager to drive product innovation for a key QSR customer. The ideal candidate will manage product portfolios, lead project execution, and support team management. A degree in science or engineering and relevant food industry experience are essential. This full-time role also demands strong communication and stakeholder management skills, offering an opportunity to impact consumer-driven product development.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in product development in the food industry from concept to launch.
• Knowledgeable in ingredient functionality.
• Ability to manage B2B client relationships and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and organize the portfolio of EMEA projects.
• Review and approve development of new, improved products.
• Lead business development opportunities with key QSR brands.

Skills

Team management

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Project management

Consumer-driven product development

Education

Degree in a science or engineering discipline

Job description

Join to apply for the New Product Development (NPD) Manager role at Laurens Hekwerk West BV

Peterborough, UK

The role is responsible for delivering new product development and product improvement for a key Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) customer, as well as condiment projects within McCormicks Branded Food Service business unit. Responsibilities include designing and executing new products, line extensions, and brand maintenance; supporting operational incidents and driving cost optimization; horizon scanning and shaping the future development strategy; independently planning, prioritising, and executing projects to meet both business and customer requirements; defining the product vision in terms of consumer acceptance, sensory attributes, cost, timing, and plant efficiency.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage Project Portfolio – manages and organizes the portfolio of EMEA projects, prioritising business objectives, including consumer acceptance, sensory, plant performance, product cost, problem solving, and timing.
• Oversee Project Execution – uses principles of food science and raw material knowledge to review, approve development and scale‑up of new, improved and cost‑reduced products.
• Customer Facing – manages EMEA relationships for key QSR brand, leads business development opportunities, and assumes a customer‑facing role in meetings, presentations, store support, and trials.
• Ensure Technical Support – provides technical support to customers in person and through written and verbal communication.
• Team Leadership – manages a team for condiments and dry products and supports NPD opportunities in other McCormick regions.

Candidate Profile

• Relevant experience in product development in the food industry from concept to launch.
• Proven experience in team management.
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders and manage B2B client relationships (QSR preferably).
• Degree in a science or engineering discipline.
• Knowledgeable in ingredient functionality.
• Ability to apply business and technical knowledge to address product quality, cost, and ingredient sourcing challenges.
• Knowledgeable in consumer, sensory, and marketing research tools for consumer‑driven product development.
• Knowledgeable in manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• Strong communication skills to work across all levels and functions.
• Ability to move several projects forward simultaneously.
• Proven record of identifying new opportunities and driving accomplishments to higher levels.
• Strategic thinker.

Agency and EEO Statements

McCormick as needed will work with external recruitment vendors through our Agency Portal. Unless previously contacted, McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.

McCormick & Company is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Marketing