Job Title

NPD ManagerSalary 45,000 + BenefitsLondon - 4 days/week in the office 1 day from homeRole OverviewReporting directly to the Head of Creative, you will be responsible for managing the end-to-end delivery of productsensuring timely, cost-effective execution from project initiation through to market launch. This includes securing stakeholder buy-in and approvals at key stages, while maintaining the highest quality standards throughout.Leveraging strong project management expertise and a deep understanding of the drinks industry, youll work across all business sites to proactively identify and manage the impacts and interdependencies of new product development (NPD). Your scope will include overseeing development within categories such as whisky, rum, and cognac.You will also be tasked with identifying and developing opportunities to collaborate with local artisans for the creation of branded merchandiseboth for retail and online platformsas well as POS materials. This may extend to the development of food products and packaging innovations.Working closely with the in-house creative team, youll take ownership of sourcing dry goods including labels, bottles, cartons, and corks, ensuring alignment with brand standards and timelines.This is a unique opportunity for a driven and detail-oriented professional to join a dynamic organisation undergoing rapid growth and operational transformation.Key ResponsibilitiesProject Planning & ExecutionDevelop and manage comprehensive project plans for NPD initiatives, outlining key milestones, timelines, resource allocations, and decision points to ensure timely delivery.Project BriefsCreate and communicate clear project timelines and briefs, covering design and packaging scope, pricing structures, value and volume metrics, cost of goods, and distribution strategies.Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with in-house project managers to execute NPD projects across creative, marketing, production, sales, and external agencies.Coordinate with resources at both head office and production sites to meet stakeholder expectations, ensuring accountability and seamless execution of line extensions and new brand concepts.Stakeholder Communication & ManagementMaintain consistent communication with all internal and external stakeholders throughout the NPD lifecycle.Lead and facilitate internal/external NPD meetings, in partnership with project managers, ensuring agendas, minutes, actions, and updates are documented and shared.Monitor and manage risks, issues, and deliverables to ensure alignment with project priorities and deadlines.Relationship ManagementBuild strong, collaborative relationships across suppliers and internal teams.Ensure packaging reflects company's commitment to sustainability while maintaining premium quality, by selecting environmentally responsible materials and solutions.Budget ManagementOversee project budgets, ensuring resources are used efficiently and financial goals are met.Product Testing & Quality AssuranceManage pre-launch testing and quality checks to ensure all products meet defined standards and specifications.Conduct site visits to bottling halls as needed to verify that packaging and design meet production standards.Regulatory Compliance & Risk MitigationEnsure all new products adhere to applicable regulations and industry standards.Proactively identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies to safeguard project outcomes.Post-Launch EvaluationConduct evaluations following product launches to measure performance and gather insights for future improvements.RequirementsDeep knowledge of supply chain and operations, ideally within the drinks or FMCG sectorsProven experience with logistics planning, label compliance and international goods movementStrong track record in category innovation, including packaging and POS developmentIn-depth understanding of the drinks industryDemonstrated project management expertise with the ability to drive complex initiatives to successful completion