NPD Manager

Company Profile

A bespoke Flexographic printing and Flexible Packaging Manufacturer who supply packaging solutions to a wide range of industries.

Title: NPD Manager (New Product Development)
Salary: £40 - £50k DOE. Working hours are Monday to Friday 08.45 - 5pm and you can work from home 1 day a week.
Location: West Yorkshire
Main Purpose

Responsible for delivering a packaging innovation pipeline that produces a constant stream of revenue for the business. Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure products are developed efficiently and meet quality standards.

Develop Business Opportunities

1. Identify and pursue commercially viable new business opportunities utilising core capabilities and know-how.
2. Ensure the maintenance of an innovation pipeline to keep the company ahead of competition, and at the forefront of packaging innovation.
3. Implement an NPD strategy in line with the Business Growth Strategy.
4. Maintain awareness of market, consumer trends and competitor activity to identify business opportunities.
5. Stay abreast of global packaging and design trends through trade press, exhibitions, trade shows etc.
6. Manage and present future trends in packaging to customers/retailers as required.
7. Where appropriate support in the development of agencies in countries outside of Europe.

Research

1. Drive research into all substrate materials (including adhesives and coatings) and print technologies.
2. Work closely with the Technical Team to ensure new opportunities are not only commercially viable but feasible at scale up and can be commercialised.
3. Align future packaging trends with core capabilities to generate new business opportunities.
4. Ensure establishment and maintenance of a database of all packaging equipment in use by our present and future clients and identify opportunities for new packaging.
5. Maintain an awareness of our competitors' IP and capabilities.
6. Create regular review forums with supply base to discuss new opportunities.
7. Deliver accurate, relevant and timely information based on solid research and analysis.
8. Liaise, collaborate and develop relationships and programs of work with universities, research institutes, suppliers, customers and other commercial entities as appropriate.

Manage Idea Generation And Product Development

1. Drive a technical roadmap to continuously assess options to drive profitability and business continuity.
2. Management of the day to day NPD from concept through to launch.
3. Continually analyse and respond to business needs and plan short, medium and long term objectives.
4. Ensure all project work is compliant with company technical processes and that the company complies with all legal/market requirements in relation to print/packaging.

Ensure Ideas Are Legally Protected

1. Ensure Non-disclosure Agreements are in place prior to discussions with any external body.
2. Where possible ensure that the company is not in breach of current or pending IP.
3. Where feasible protect ideas through IP whether that is patent, design, trademark or other.
4. Ensure that all food packaging is safe for use and documentation raised is completed by a competent person.

Team Management And Development

1. Mentor and guide team members, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
2. Set clear goals, and provide regular feedback to ensure team members are aligned with project and organisational objectives.
3. Ensure appropriate training and development opportunities to enhance team capabilities and knowledge.

Person Specification:

1. Experience of working in the Flexible Packaging Industry is desirable.
2. Experience of managing and developing a team.
3. Innovative and independent thinker.
4. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
5. Able to lead and motivate a team to deliver outstanding results.
6. Project Management skills.
7. Innovative and creative mindset.