NPD Project Manager

Location:

Clondalkin – Ireland

Salary:

Competitive

Type:

Permanent

Main Industry:

Search Management & Executive Jobs

Advertiser:

ARYZTA Careers

Job ID:

131293890

Posted On:

03 November 2024

ARYZTA is for people who are passionate about what they do and doing it well. We take pride in our high quality, delicious food and in our leading position as the world’s number one frozen bakery. If you are resilient, ambitious, a team player, and passionate about driving forwards your career with us, we would love to hear from you!
 

The Role

Reporting to the Head of NPD Manufactured, the NPD Project Manager (UK & IE) will play a key role in developing and launching new and/or upgraded product concepts, project managing these concepts through the development process to launch on time, within budget and to quality standards. This is a fixed-term 18-month contract.

In this varied role you will build strong relationships with key customer and internal stakeholders so as to be on the forefront of customer briefs and NPD teams within our bakeries. You will own the product relationship with key customers and be responsible for ensuring the ISB category is on point and remaining relevant with changing consumer needs.

Core Responsibilities:

1. New Product Development: 

-Ensure the business is at the forefront of innovation and aware of competitor launches and current food trends.
-Work with insights and category data to identify opportunities within the customer base and lead category reviews.
-Ensure that new products are developed in line with product briefs.
-Ensure knowledge of new product development across the group and the suitability of them for both UK & Irish retailers. 
-Clearly communicate development briefs (product, price and technical requirements) to sites and communicate throughout the development process. 
-Ensure that raw materials sourced are in line with preferred supplier and customer brand standards. 
-Ensure that all products developed are in line with company strategy and that all developments are well communicated to internal functions.
-Ensure that product benchmarking and new product panels are being carried out both internally and externally (with customers) across all categories. 
-Set up products on SAP and work with Master Data to ensure a smooth launch is achieved.
-Work hands-on in the test bakery where required, baking samples for customer presentations and submissions. 
2. Innovation & Market Awareness: 

-Ensure a rolling NPD programme with aligned customer through projected NPD plans.
-Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the food retailing market, eg. via trade press, food magazines & competitor shopping, to ensure development of cutting edge & market leading products. 
3. Customer Skills 

-Develop strong, lasting relationships with customers through continuos communications via updates and NPD plans. 
-Present new products and upgrades to customers in a professional manner, demonstrating bakery and food ingredient process knowledge and expertise.
-Prepare samples, presentation packs and any theatre required.
4. Other: 

-Coordinate and communicate the status of all NPD projects.
-Ensure a close working relationship with the Commercial, Finance and Operations teams.
-Attend internal & external taste panels when required.
-Attend and lead weekly NPD meetings and attend site development meetings when possible. 
-Evaluate raw materials.
-Conduct regular store visits.
-Ensure close working relationships with aligned sites.
-Be aware of and comply with customer brand and FSA standards.
 

The successful candidate will possess:

-Experience in an NPD manager role with retail customer experience 
-Love of food and deep knowledge of food trends 
-Great project and time management skills
-Skills and experience of customer contact including presentations 
-Drive and impetus to go out, seek,and launch new ideas 
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels 
-Ablility to work individually and as a team player 
-Need to be creative and have a thirst for knowledge 
-Courage to challenge the “norm” 
-Ability to create a favourable first impression, project yourself well and present with confidence
-An outgoing and confident approach 
-MS Office working knowledge (Excel, Word, Powerpoint), SAP proficiency
-Demonstrate an above standard knowledge and understanding of food 
-Excellent presentation skills 
 

What we offer: 

You will have the opportunity to join a dynamic and growing global food Company, work with inspiring leaders and be part of a supportive team. In addition, we offer a competitive renumeration package and great benefits: 

-22 days holidays increasing to 26 with service. 

-1 paid day for volunteer/community/charity work of choice 

-1 paid day for wellbeing activities 

-Paid compassionate leave. 

-Income Continuance (Illness) cover  

-Life Assurance Cover. 

-Maternity and Paternity top up  

-Gym onsite. 

-Free Parking. 

-Subsidised canteen / restaurant. 

-Free coffee and tea. 

-Bike to work scheme. 

-Mental health support including free counselling through our EAP.  

-Further Education Sponsorship. 

-Flu vaccine programme.  

Your Application

At ARYZTA our employees are our number one asset and we support your decision to explore other opportunities within the organization. If you are interested in applying for a new role, please ensure that you inform your current manager. 

Please submit your complete application documents (CV and motivation letter). We are looking forward to receiving your application on aryztacareers/

Each of our employees throughout the world deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity. 
We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to hiring, training, compensating, and promoting persons based on their individual talents and abilities. We embrace diversity and opportunities are extended to employees and prospective employees without regard to race, colour, gender, religion, age, natural origin, family status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, local, or international laws.  

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