Product Development Manager / NPD Specialist

We’re looking for a creative, commercially minded and detail focused Product Development Manager / NPD Specialist to help bring new chocolate products to life for both the Hames brand and our private label customers.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in new product development and a good working knowledge of the chocolate market. You’ll be involved in the full product development process, from coming up with new product ideas and working to customer briefs, through to sourcing components, design and packaging, pricing products and supporting launches.

The role would suit someone who enjoys spotting trends, developing commercially viable ideas and working closely with sales, production, purchasing, technical and design teams to turn concepts into finished products.

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Developing new product ideas for the Hames brand and private label customers
  • Managing the new product development process from concept to launch
  • Working to customer briefs and identifying suitable product solutions
  • Sourcing packaging, ingredients and product components
  • Pricing new products and ensuring they are commercially viable
  • Keeping up to date with chocolate, gifting, seasonal and private label market trends
  • Liaising with internal teams to ensure products can be produced efficiently and to the required standard
  • Supporting the creation of product specifications, samples and launch information
The successful candidate will have:
 
  • Experience in new product development, ideally within chocolate, confectionery, food, gifting or FMCG
  • A good understanding of the chocolate market and current product trends
  • Strong commercial awareness and confidence working with pricing
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Good organisational skills and the ability to manage several projects at once
  • A creative approach to product ideas and problem solving
  • Confidence working with suppliers, internal teams and customer briefs

Applicants must be currently based in the UK and have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to consider applications from candidates who are not UK-based for this role.

Click here to apply

We kindly ask recruitment agencies not to contact us regarding this vacancy.