Job Title: Senior NPD ManagerIndustry:FMCG – FoodLocation:BantrySalary:Negotiable (DOE)The RoleAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an experiencedSenior NPD Managerto join a fast-paced FMCG food manufacturing business supplying branded and private-label products to the Irish and European retail markets.This is asenior leadership role, responsible foroverseeing and developing a team of NPD Technologists and NPD Account Managers, while owning the end-to-end delivery of innovation and renovation projects. The role will work closely with Technical, Production, Commercial, and Sales functions to ensure all products are delivered safely, legally, on time, and in line with customer and business expectations.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team ManagementLead, mentor, and develop a team of NPD Technologists and NPD Account Managers, ensuring clear objectives, accountability, and performance deliveryProvide technical leadership, coaching, and training to drive capability, consistency, and best practice across the NPD functionSet priorities, allocate resources, and manage workload across multiple concurrent projectsNPD & Innovation DeliveryOwn and drive NPD and EPD projects from concept through to launch, ensuring cross-functional collaborationEnsure all products meet agreed quality, safety, legal, and customer standardsManage and enforce compliance with the stage-gate NPD process, embedding Lean NPD principlesOwn project plans and critical paths, ensuring delivery in line with Customer Development PlansOversee line extensions, reformulations, and packaging changes from brief to launchCustomer & Commercial InterfaceAct as a senior NPD contact for key retail customers, supporting and leading customer meetings, presentations, and project reviewsWork closely with Commercial and Sales teams to ensure NPD activity aligns with customer strategies and commercial objectivesSupport cost optimisation, value engineering, and margin improvement initiativesTechnical, Quality & Continuous ImprovementEnsure full compliance with food safety legislation, internal policies, and customer standardsProtect and continuously improve both product quality and manufacturing processesDrive continuous improvement initiatives within the Innovation functionLead and contribute to innovative R&D projects, including new ingredients, technologies, and processesMonitor market trends, emerging technologies, and consumer insights to shape future innovation pipelinesThe Ideal CandidateDegree qualified in Food Technology, Food Science, or a related disciplineMinimum 5 years' experience in food product development within FMCG, with proven leadership responsibilityDemonstrated experience managing and developing NPD teams in a commercial environmentStrong project management capability with experience handling multiple customer-led projectsExcellent communicator with the ability to influence at all levels, internally and externallyCommercially aware, organised, and detail-focusedConfident operating in a fast-paced, customer-driven manufacturing environmentTechnical & Functional ExperienceStrong working knowledge of BRC, HACCP, allergen management, and food safety systemsIn-depth understanding of food legislation and legal labelling requirementsExperience with retailer specification and customer systems (e.g. TTL, HG, Igloo, or similar)Supplier selection, management, and negotiationProduct quality optimisation and benchmarkingApplication of Lean NPD and continuous improvement techniquesProduct and packaging cost modelling and value engineeringStrong understanding of pack copy approval processes and packaging management toolsKnowledge of R&D tax credits or funding applications is advantageous