NPD Process Manager – Food Manufacturing
NPD Process Manager – Food Manufacturing
Bury St Edmunds
Monday to Friday
Salary: up to £53,735
Direct Table Foods is one of the UK’s leading bacon, gammon and sausage processors. Based in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, we have a rich heritage stretching back more than 50 years and a strong vision for the future.
We are looking for an experienced NPD Process Manager to join our team and play a key role in bringing innovative new food products from concept through to successful factory launch.
This role sits at the heart of our development process, ensuring that new products are efficiently scaled from kitchen concept to full manufacturing, while maintaining the highest standards in quality, food safety, cost control, and operational performance.
Working closely with development, technical, and operations teams, you will manage the process development stage of projects, lead factory trials, and ensure products are delivered on time, on cost, and to the highest quality standards.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, solving problems, and turning great ideas into successful products.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage the NPD process from concept approval through to successful factory launch.
Lead factory trials, scale-up activities, and product validations to ensure products perform in a manufacturing environment.
Work closely with development, technical, and operations teams to ensure a smooth concept-to-launch process.
Ensure all projects follow the NPD gate process, maintaining clear documentation and timelines.
Identify and resolve process, quality, or manufacturing challenges during development and trials.
Ensure all products meet food safety, quality, legal, and customer requirements.
Manage project timelines to deliver new products on schedule and within agreed cost parameters.
Coordinate NPD meetings with key stakeholders to track progress and address challenges.
Capture learning from launches and trials to improve future development projects.
Stay aware of industry trends, ingredients, and process improvements that support innovation and efficiency.
Skills and experience required:
Degree or NVQ in a food science, food technology, or related discipline.
Proven experience in NPD or process development within a food manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of factory trials, scale-up processes, and commercial product launches.
Experience working in a fast-paced production environment.
Excellent organisation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong people leadership and management skills
Ability to solve technical and process challenges during product development.
Experience working with customers and cross-functional teams.
What We Offer
Salary up to £53,735
33 days holiday with an option to buy up to 5 extra days
Access to Grocery Aid providing emotional, practical and financial support
Benefits and recognition hub - including amazing colleague discounts
If you’re ready to drive innovation, lead a talented team, and help bring exciting new products to life, we’d love to hear from you.