NPD Project Manager – Part Time

The Compleat Food Group Limited; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food business in the UK is seeking a candidate for a 13-month fixed-term contract role focused on managing NPD projects. You will ensure timely product development, lead critical paths, and work collaboratively with both internal teams and customers. Ideal applicants should have solid NPD experience and excellent communication skills. The role offers hybrid working from various locations in England, including Nottingham.

Benefits

2 Employee Volunteering Days per year

Employee well-being support groups

Charity initiatives and team events

24/7 Access to Grocery Aid

Qualifications

• Solid experience in the NPD process and associated development activities.
• Good planning and organization skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good level of computer literacy.
• Driving licence is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the timely development of new and existing products.
• Lead and manage critical paths for customer accounts.
• Identify and propose solutions for risks and issues.
• Foster collaboration with the customer team.
• Compile management reports and maintain trackers.

Skills

NPD process knowledge

Planning and organization

Project management skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)

Job description

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

Location

We are flexible for this role to be hybrid working, based out of Nottingham, Redhill, Poole or our Market Drayton site.

Hours

Monday – Thursday, 8:30 – 17:00 (32-hour week)

Contract

13 months Fixed-Term

Purpose

Ensuring the timely delivery of product development projects. Identifying and managing risks and issues appropriately. Building a pro-active and positive relationship with customers and internal stakeholders.

Your Duties Will Include

• Ensuring the Product Launch Process is followed effectively to deliver timely development of new and existing products in line with company strategy, category pipeline plans and growth aspirations
• Lead, drive and take ownership of the cross category end-to-end critical paths for the relevant customer account
• Ensure the accuracy of critical paths and ensure alignment with internal functions and external critical path dates that need to be met
• Understand and seek out information from cross functional teams to create robust critical paths of more complex strategic NPD projects
• Pro-actively identifying risks and issues – identifying and proposing potential solutions and mitigating any risks to launch
• Foster a collaborative and trusting working relationship with the customer team
• Compiling and issuing management reports and tracker maintenance

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Solid experience and knowledge of NPD process and associated development activities
• Good planning, organisation and project management skills
• Good analytical and numeracy skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Good level of computer literacy – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams
• Driving Licence – desirable

Benefits to include

• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid (Free Financial, Emotional and Practical Support)

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.

We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.