NPD Project Manager

The Compleat Food Group are recruiting for a newly created exciting role into their NPD department. The role of NPD Project Manager is responsible for the full project life-cycle management of all NPD and EPD and Quality Projects across the group. What you will be doing:

• NPD Project Manager: Main remit for ensuring all Group EPD & NPD projects are planned, assigned to specific stakeholders,
ensure projects stay on track, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality products that excite consumers and meet business goals.
• Lead Stage & Gate Process: Oversee the full end-to-end NPD process, ensuring adherence to the Stage and Gate framework.
• Central Project Plan Ownership: Take full ownership of a centralised project plan, meticulously tracking task ownership and
ensuring visibility across all projects.
• Influence & Collaborate: Build strong relationships with NPD teams, senior leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders to
knock down barriers and secure buy-in at every stage of the process.
• Keep Projects on Track: Monitor progress, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure timely delivery of all NPD/EPD projects.
• Concept to Launch Leadership: Drive projects from initial concept through to successful product launch, ensuring quality,
compliance, and consumer satisfaction.
• Transparent reporting: Develop and maintain a clear dashboard summarising all NPD/EPD projects, capturing KPIs and regularly
presenting to the Quality Board for review
• Team Management: Day to day management and leadership of one Project Executive
• Commercial Awareness: Have a good understanding of project commercial viability, eg. 'Finance for non-financial manager'
training a benefit


• Industry Experience: Proven track record of managing full life cycle NPD and EPD projects within the UK chilled food sector.
• Project Management Expertise: Strong understanding and hands-on experience with the Stage and Gate process.
• Leadership Skills: A natural influencer who can lead cross-functional teams and foster collaboration between departments.
• Problem-Solver: Proactively identify challenges and implement solutions to keep projects on track.
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to gain buy-in from senior leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Flexibility: Willingness to travel regularly across the UK to engage with teams at various manufacturing sites.
• Pace: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, navigating cross-functional teams and driving projects to completion.