Description:
Are you a creative and strategic professional with a passion for innovation in the pet food industry?
My client are a renowned and forward-thinking company within a multi-billion FMCG/Food Group, specializing in high-quality pet nutrition products. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced NPD Manager to join their dynamic team, based at the Naas operation.
This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of pet food and contribute to the growth of a leading brand.
Key Responsibilities:
- To develop NPD strategies and concepts to drive sales and market share in export markets
- Conduct and present to the business research of the marketplace, with a view to evolving the product offering to meet consumer trends
- Develop strategies of continuous improvement to advance current products and drive value for the business. To understand EU pet food legislation and export market legislation including factors limiting access and ensure that the NPD team develops products with these requirements in mind
- Oversee the New Product Implementation process to ensure the execution of successful launches of new products into the marketplace
- Ensure a cohesive NPD team that works effectively with all departments and can adapt to all challenges
- To manage and co-ordinate the NPD team to plan trials and bring new products from concept to fruition through the stage-gated New Product Introduction (NPI) process
- Support the NPD team and agree targets, in line with the critical path, in performing trials and testing regimes of new product/raw materials
- Liaise with heads of all departments to ensure effective operation of the NPD/NPI processes
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5-year food industry experience within a similar disciplineB.Sc. Food Technology/Food Science/Nutritional Science or related discipline
- Direct meat experience would be advantageous
- Knowledge of food/meat processing technology
- Commercial aptitude and awareness
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- The ability to work on own initiative and be self-organised and disciplined
- Demonstrate an energetic, self-motivated and flexible approach in all matters
- Proficient in MS Office and other relevant systems