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New Product Development Manager

Location: Swinton, Manchester

Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 + Bonus

Type: Permanent 

Are you a commercially minded food innovation specialist with a passion for turning ideas into shelf-ready successes? Our client, a fast-growing and trend-led product design business, is seeking a New Product Development Manager to lead the charge in bringing high impact products to market.

The Company

This entrepreneurial, licensing led business partners with some of the biggest names in retail and FMCG to deliver branded, private label, and own-label food products. With a strong track record of category defining launches and a client list spanning many major UK retailers, they offer a versitile and high responsibility environment for innovation led thinkers.

Recent wins include licensed partnerships in global food and character brands, and the business is constantly seeking the next big idea across snacking and ambient categories.

The Role

As the New Product Development Manager, you’ll lead the development of 25 - 30 projects, from concept through to launch. This is a highly autonomous role that sits at the heart of the business, you'll work closely with commercial, sales, logistics, and external manufacturing partners to bring ideas to life.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast moving, creative environment where no two days are the same, and where product fit, commercial viability, and brand storytelling matter just as much as innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Lead cross functional projects across licensed, private label, and own label food products
Translate category trends into commercially viable product launches
Manage external supplier, manufacturer, and 3PL relationships
Deliver full EPD & NPD pipelines with speed and creativity
Work closely with sales and marketing to support go-to-market strategies
Ensure compliance with food safety and labelling regulations
Champion a solution-focused mindset with ownership from brief to shelf

What We’re Looking For

Previous experience in NPD, ideally within snacking or related food categories
Strong commercial acumen, not just a product thinker, but a market thinker
Highly organised project manager with creative energy
Hands-on experience managing external manufacturing and supply partners
Knowledge of UK food regulations and quality standards
Confident communicator, collaborator, and problem solver
Passionate about trend spotting and gap analysis
Ability to work in the office 4–5 days per week in a fast-paced SME environment

Interested?

Click "Apply" or email your CV to to learn more.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

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