SENIOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

(Based in Northern England)

WHAT DO WE NEED?

We’re looking for a SEASONED, commercially savvy Senior NPD Manager to turn great ideas into un-BEET-able products. With strong FMCG and food innovation experience, you’ll own our end-to-end pipeline across international markets, delivering standout launches that drive ambitious growth and keep us ahead of the curve.

You’ll elevate every stage – from concept to shelf – ensuring high-quality, consumer-first products that reflect our brand and always bring something fresh (or frozen? 👀) to the table. Working closely with internal teams and manufacturing partners, you’ll bring pace, clarity and focus to delivery. If you can combine sharp commercial insight, technical know-how and the ability to energise others, you’ll fit right in.

WHO ARE WE?

Even though we’re only 10 years old, Strong Roots has already achieved impressive success. We’re stocked in nearly all the major retailers across Ireland and the UK, are loved by our loyal consumers, and have gained valuable listings across the US. Our products are in freezer aisles across France, Australia, Canada and several other major markets, and we’ve now entered the food service sector in Ireland and the UK.

We’re a proud member of the B Corp community, so we’re committed to our “People, Planet, Profit” promise by delivering delicious, frozen plant-based food designed for busy lives. With the full acquisition by McCain Foods in April 2024, we’re now accelerating our growth and scale globally. While we continue to operate independently, we benefit from the support of one of the world’s largest food brands. Nice!

The Strong Roots Gang includes 60 people from 11 nationalities across three locations (Dublin HQ, London, New York), with over half of our team identifying as female, including at both management and senior leadership levels. We’re committed to diversity in all forms (visible and invisible) and are an equal opportunities employer. Let us know how we can support your application and employment experience. And that B Corp status we mentioned? It’s a testament to how we care for our people and always work to help you thrive and feel like you belong here.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

In this role (with regular international travel), you’ll report directly to the Head of Product Innovation and will play a central role in shaping the future of our veg-forward innovation pipeline by:

Supporting the end-to-end NPD strategy and delivery across multiple innovation projects, categories and international markets.

Collaborating with Product, Marketing, Supply Chain and commercial colleagues to identify priority NPD opportunities.

Owning and driving the innovation pipeline from product brief through to launch, ensuring alignment with business critical - brand strategy, commercial priorities and consumer insights.

Acting as the senior technical and project lead across NPD programmes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, in full and within cost parameters.

Effectively presenting product details, project updates, and proposals to a variety of audiences, demonstrating high levels of technical and communication abilities, whether in writing or in person.

Working closely with the department PM in leading Stage Gate governance and ensuring robust project management disciplines, critical path delivery and risk mitigation across all projects.

Managing and mentoring members of the Product Development team, helping to build technical capability, innovation thinking and high performance.

Building strong collaborative relationships with manufacturing partners and suppliers to identify technical opportunities, unlock efficiencies and deliver scalable innovation.

Leading factory trials, scale-up activities and launch readiness processes to ensure seamless execution into manufacturing.

Ensuring all products meet required regulatory, quality, nutritional and commercial standards across relevant markets.

Presenting innovation strategy, project updates and recommendations to senior stakeholders with confidence, clarity and influence.

Continuously improving ways of working, innovation processes and cross-functional collaboration to support the next phase of Strong Roots’ growth.

HOW WILL YOU STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD?

It’s a very big crowd, but YOU have:

8+ years’ experience in FMCG food product development and innovation.

A proven track record delivering end-to-end NPD launches across retail and/or foodservice.

A degree (or equivalent qualification) in Food Science, Food Manufacturing or a related field.

Strong technical expertise in food manufacturing processes, product scale-up and commercialisation.

Hands-on product development experience from test kitchen concept through to full production roll-out.

Excellent commercial awareness and confidence working with COGs, margins, feasibility and operational constraints.

Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders, including 3rd party manufacturers.

Strong project management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to juggle priorities, manage timelines and recover delays.

Confidence in making decisions and providing direction in ambiguous or fast-paced environments.

A natural curiosity for food trends, consumer behaviour and emerging innovation opportunities.

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to bring people on the journey.

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?

We get it: you’ve been working hard to make yourself a valuable asset, so we’re ready to treat you as such. You’ll receive a competitive salary package (which includes both annual and long-term incentive plans), but you’ll also enjoy a range of benefits that includes matched pension contribution, £1,000 Wellness Wonga, £1,000 contribution to private health insurance, 12 weeks full maternity pay, 2 weeks paid paternity leave, matched charity donations, 23 days annual leave, and more (“Like what?”, you ask? How about a paid half-day every Friday in June, July, and August!? We also give you your Birthday off 🎂).

On top of all that, you’ll be part of something big that’s going to get a lot bigger, FAST.

Still reading? Feeling excited? Good! You might be the perfect fit. Let’s do this, together. 💪🌱❄

STRONG ROOTS

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Senior New Product Development Manager