food product development jobs

Head of New Product Development

Beauty, Personal Care & Cosmetics | Swinton, Manchester

Senior leadership opportunity leading high-volume product development from concept to launch

Are you an experienced NPD leader ready to take ownership of a fast-paced beauty and personal care portfolio?

We are looking for a confident Head of New Product Development to lead, structure and drive our NPD function across a high-volume range of beauty, personal care and cosmetics products.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who combines strong product development knowledge with excellent people management, commercial awareness and delivery focus. You will guide the team from concept through to launch, ensuring seasonal ranges are delivered on time, to standard and in line with commercial priorities.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Creative Director, you will lead the NPD department, manage Senior Product Developers and ensure product development activity is structured, prioritised and commercially viable. You will provide clear direction, manage workload and resources, monitor critical paths, identify risks and keep key stakeholders aligned across Design, Marketing, Commercial, Sales, Operations and external manufacturing partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the New Product Development team, providing clear direction, support and accountability.
• Review and approve product proposals from Senior Product Developers, ensuring alignment with the agreed seasonal strategy.
• Oversee multiple active development projects, ensuring key milestones, launch deadlines and commercial objectives are met.
• Manage departmental workload, priorities and resources in a fast-paced, high-volume launch environment.
• Work closely with internal Heads of Department and external partners to resolve issues, manage risks and keep projects on track.
• Present category overviews, launch plans, commercial considerations and departmental updates to senior leadership.
• Monitor KPIs, budgets, supplier performance and product development timelines.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, performance reviews and development plans for the NPD team.

About You

• Proven experience in New Product Development within beauty, personal care, skincare or cosmetics.
• Strong product management and product development background, ideally within an FMCG or high-volume launch environment.
• Experienced people manager with the ability to lead, motivate and direct a team effectively.
• Highly organised, commercially aware and confident managing complex critical paths and multiple priorities.
• Excellent communicator, comfortable presenting recommendations and updates to senior stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Collaborative approach, with experience working cross-functionally across Design, Marketing, Commercial, Sales and Operations.

What We’re Looking For

A Head of NPD who has extensive experience reviewing product ranges across all categories to ensure a cohesive, effective approach that supports the wider creative vision. Working closely with the Creative Director, you will identify top-line goals, highlight key risks, and present clear proposals that help shape successful range development and delivery.

What We're Offering

A highly competitive salary together with an exceptional benefits package which includes 38 days holiday, early finish Friday, discretionary bonuses , private health and free parking etc

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person