NPD Project Manager

NPD Project Manager

Hybrid Working  – Full Time Vacancy.

The Compleat Food Group are recruiting for a newly created exciting role into their NPD department. The role of NPD Project Manager is responsible for the full project life-cycle management of all NPD and EPD and Quality Projects across the group. 

What you will be doing:

• NPD Project Manager: Main remit for ensuring all Group EPD & NPD projects are planned, assigned to specific stakeholders, ensure projects stay on track, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality products that excite consumers and meet business goals.
• Lead Stage & Gate Process: Oversee the full end-to-end NPD process, ensuring adherence to the Stage and Gate framework.
• Central Project Plan Ownership: Take full ownership of a centralised project plan, meticulously tracking task ownership and ensuring visibility across all projects.
• Influence & Collaborate: Build strong relationships with NPD teams, senior leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders to knock down barriers and secure buy-in at every stage of the process.
• Keep Projects on Track: Monitor progress, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure timely delivery of all NPD/EPD projects.
• Concept to Launch Leadership: Drive projects from initial concept through to successful product launch, ensuring quality, compliance, and consumer satisfaction.
• Transparent reporting: Develop and maintain a clear dashboard summarising all NPD/EPD projects, capturing KPIs and regularly presenting to the Quality Board for review
• Team Management: Day to day management and leadership of one Project Executive
• Commercial Awareness: Have a good understanding of project commercial viability, eg. ‘Finance for non-financial manager’ training a benefit

Who we are looking for?

• Industry Experience: Proven track record of managing full life cycle NPD and EPD projects within the UK chilled food sector.
• Project Management Expertise: Strong understanding and hands-on experience with the Stage and Gate process.
• Leadership Skills: A natural influencer who can lead cross-functional teams and foster collaboration between departments.
• Problem-Solver: Proactively identify challenges and implement solutions to keep projects on track.
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to gain buy-in from senior leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Flexibility: Willingness to travel regularly across the UK to engage with teams at various manufacturing sites.
• Pace: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, navigating cross-functional teams and driving projects to completion.
• Prince2 Qualification: (or equivalent)

Benefits to Include:

• 33 Days annual leave
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and High-street retailer discount scheme 
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Informal and Formal training opportunities with personalised online LMS platform
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid (Free Financial, Emotional and Practical Support)
• Physical Wellbeing Benefits – Free on demand exercise hub and various gym discounts.
• Online Wellbeing benefits
• Free Financial wellbeing – mortgage calculators, budget tools, financial aid tools
• Holiday Discounts via Online Retail Discount

If this newly created role sounds like an exciting opportunity within NPD project management, that will both challenge you and utilise your current NPD and Project Management skills please apply with your CV and a covering letter detailing why you think you are suitable for this role asap

The Compleat Food Group are proud to have built an inclusive and respectful culture where our colleagues feel safe, supported and valued. A place where they can bring their whole selves to work to achieve exceptional results and thrive. We continue to attract diverse talent into our teams, because we know greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect in all that we do. 

Recruitment Agencies: We have an active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.