Job Details

New Product Development plays an important part in any business. As time, trends & consumer needs change, we must innovate and evolve if we are to have an edge over our competitors; we are looking for a creative individual who wants to be part of a successful confectionery business with a great portfolio of brands coupled with real ambition to top the market with the best product.

You will be reporting to the Project Manager and Product Controller and working collaboratively with the marketing department and key stakeholders across the business to develop new products across brands and private label.

Handling multiple projects across a large supplier and product base will require strong project management and organisational skills; being able to plan, organise and prioritise work to meet project deadlines and overcome any challenges along the way.

Culture fit is hugely important. We want our staff to stay and grow with us and develop their careers over time; collaborative working relationships and supporting others whilst striving for results and always having the customer and product at the core of everything.

The Role

- The purpose of this role is to work within the NPD function to create, develop and deliver commercially viable products in line with our growth strategy

- Along with supporting the development of new concepts you will get involved with refreshing and optimising existing products based on research and emerging trends

- Working with the wider marketing team to ensure products are in line with UK insight to support range rationalisation to the trade as well as ongoing identification of gaps within existing product portfolio

- Deliver multiple product projects from concept to launch via cross-functional teams ensuring targets are met for product launches

- Responsible for the co-ordination of projects ranging in scale and complexity from new product launches to minor design amends

- Support the implementation and tracking of critical path of product line introductions and packaging artwork by working closely with suppliers, customers, design agencies and internal and external cross-functional teams and suppliers including Operations, QA, R&D, Sales and Marketing.

- Build relationships with licensors and suppliers

- Manage all NPD samples; this includes collecting and ordering samples from our suppliers including any requirements for organoleptic tests for external / internal taste panels

You

- Strong organisational and project management skills to assist with critical path deadlines

- Good interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to communicate across departments/suppliers and external customers.

- Confident working in a fast-paced environment

- Data literate, problem-solving ability and attention to detail is key

- Positive can-do attitude, knowing that a successful business thrives on ‘whatever it takes’ to make customer and consumers happy

- A love of sweets would be advantageous!!

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that celebrates our team’s differences

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Immediate start

Office hours 9-5.30pm Mon-Fri

20 days Holiday + Bank Holidays (Plus Additional Holiday for you Birthday!)

Private medical care (Eligible after 1 year)

Unlimited sweet and treats

Salary: £20,000-£22,000 per year