New Product Development (NPD) Specialist

About The Role

At Morrisons, we're proud to produce and manufacture many of our own food products, helping us stay close to our customers' needs. You'll be part of an exciting team that creates delicious food products. Whether it's innovating new items or perfecting existing ones, your work will have a direct impact on our customers’ tables.

As a key player in our product development team, you will ensure the New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) end-to-end processes are completed on time and in full for the site. This role is suitable for candidates currently in NPD Manager or Senior NPD Technologist roles.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Development Process Management: You are responsible for overseeing the development process, from the initial concept through to the Process handover. This includes both NPD and EPD projects.

• Communication: Effective communication is crucial in this role. You'll need to maintain regular communication with key stakeholders to ensure everyone is updated on project progress.

• Project Management: Strong project management skills are essential to ensure that all projects stay on track. You'll need to manage timelines and ensure that all tasks are completed on time.

• Documentation: Accurate documentation is important for regulatory compliance and product consistency. You'll be responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is completed correctly.

• Collaboration with Retail Teams: You'll collaborate closely with retail teams to meet their product briefs. This likely involves understanding their requirements and incorporating them into the product development process.

• Supplier Collaboration: Working with suppliers is a key part of this role, involving sourcing new raw materials and processes. You'll also need to handle paperwork related to these supplier interactions.

• Recipe Formulation: You'll be responsible for formulating recipes and preparing product samples to meet the specified briefs. This involves creativity and culinary expertise.

• Factory Trials: Coordinating and possibly attending factory trials to ensure that production processes are effective and meet quality standards.

• Production Runs: Overseeing the pre-production and first production runs with Process to ensure product consistency and quality.

• Benchmarking and Tasting Sessions: Running benchmarking and tasting sessions to evaluate product quality and create action plans to address any issues.

• Post-Launch Reviews: Attending post-launch reviews to assess how products are performing in the market and making necessary adjustments.

About The Company

From a Bradford market stall to the UK’s 4th largest supermarket chain and the UK's 2nd largest fresh food manufacturer, we are proud to be the Yorkshire food retailer serving customers across the UK at just under 500 stores and an online home delivery service. Our 18 manufacturing sites provide our customers with the freshest produce from flowers, fish, and veg to burgers and bread, all delivered to our stores via our 6 distribution sites by our 2,000 strong fleet.

Every week, 11 million customers pass through our doors and over 110,000 colleagues across the business work hard each day to deliver great service to them. We cover more than 11 million households with our Morrisons.com service. With competitive, permanently low prices, we are committed to helping our customers save money every day.

We are foodmakers and shopkeepers and #wemakemorrisons.

Why not hear what our teams have to say about life here at Morrisons: Click here.

About You

In addition to the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description, there are several key qualifications and attributes that are essential for success in this role at Greenside Manufacturing, Bradford.

• Passion for the FMCG Industry: A genuine passion for the meat industry or pastry products and a dedication to delivering high-quality products to customers are fundamental.

• Exceptional Communication Skills: You should possess the ability to inspire and engage with stakeholders at all levels and across various functions within the organization. Clear and persuasive communication can facilitate collaboration and project success.

• Strong Project Management Experience: Demonstrated experience in New Product Development (NPD) is crucial for this role. You should have a track record of successfully managing NPD projects, from concept to launch.

• Relationship Building Skills: Building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and other stakeholders is a vital part of this role. Your ability to connect with and influence others will be important for project success.

• Enthusiasm and Drive: A proactive and results-oriented mindset is necessary to drive projects forward and deliver on objectives. Enthusiasm and motivation can inspire teams and keep projects on track.

• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills are essential for managing complex projects with multiple tasks and deadlines. Prioritization is key to ensuring that all aspects of the product development process run smoothly.

In return for your hard work, we will offer you:

• Six weeks holiday (including bank holidays)
• 15% discount in our stores available from the day you join us
• Additional 10% discount card for a friend or family member
• Career progression and development opportunities
• Subsidised staff canteen
• Free parking
• Market leading pension and life assurance
• Healthcare/Well-being benefits including Aviva Digital GP
• Morrisons MyPerks with discounts at high street shops, cinemas and gyms, and lots more
• Long Service Awards
• Optional Payroll charity donations
• Enhanced Family/maternity/parental leave