NPD MANAGER
Doves Farm Foods Ltd is a successful, award-winning, family-owned food business, specialising in artisan, organic and free from flours and foods. It operates a portfolio of loved, market leading brands including Doves Farm, FREEE and Wessex Mill.
This exciting NPD Manager role will play a key role in the development of our new product pipeline (both innovation & renovation) managing projects from conception to launch as well as the overall process. The role involves scoping opportunities, working cross-functionally to develop and commercialise projects whilst ensuring business objectives, consumer preferences, quality, regulatory and technical standards are met. The position is new and part of an ambitious drive to accelerate company growth.
The role is office based 5 days a week on our site 3 miles outside Hungerford in the beautiful North Wessex Downs.
Salary: up to £40,00 FTE, Depending on Experience
TEAM
The role will be part of the Doves Farm Foods marketing team and reports to the Head of Marketing. It will work closely with the NPD Technologist as well as the rest of the business including Sales, Production, Supply Chain and Technical to deliver projects.
GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
· Support the creation of an annual and longer-term innovation/renovation calendar
· Identify market opportunities across all brands and categories through market research, trend spotting, cross-functional input and ideation sessions - and turn into business cases/projects.
· Ensure on-going review of existing product ranges for competitiveness & profitability and lead refresh projects.
· Own the stage-gate process, critical paths and facilitate and run NPD/EPD project meetings
· Lead market research using various research methodologies and platforms to research new concepts, flavours and validate products.
· Work with the NPD Technologist on recipe development and kitchen trials ensuring briefs are met
· Work with commercial teams to produce costings and profitable, competitive market propositions
· Work with Supply Chain and Production on ingredients, sourcing and manufacturability.
· Project lead all agreed projects
· Monitor & report on performance of NPD/EPD on a regular basis
· Support the marketing team with other departmental and broader business activity as required.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
· Solid experience and a proven track-record from a similar role in food/drink is essential
· You have a rounded food development, marketing & commercial understanding
· You have excellent project management skills, able to manage & prioritise multiple projects.
· You are an excellent communicator with strong meeting facilitation skills.
· You take the initiative, solve problems effectively, and are happy to get stuck in and be hands on.
· You are very well organised and pay attention to detail whilst managing a busy and varied agenda.
· You have excellent IT skills and are proficient in Microsoft Office or similar.
· A passion for food/drink is essential.
WHAT WE OFFER
· Flexible in-office hours to work around commitments including compressed hours, where feasible.
· A pioneering family-owned business with loved brands that make a difference to people & planet.
· Beautiful work location in the Wiltshire countryside
· 50% staff discount in our webshop
· Cycle to Work, EyeCare, Discounted local gym membership
· Free tea & coffee, fresh fruit, bread, jam and usually lots of tasty food in development.