New Product Development Manager

Alexander Steele Recruitment is working with a FMCG business in North Worcestershire area to appoint a new NPD Manager.

We are looking for someone with a Product Development background, ideally gained from working within the laundry / household or personal care product area.

You are likely to have a scientific degree and proven experience in a Product Development, regulatory affairs, technical service or formulation type role within the consumer chemicals, household cleaning or personal care product sector.

On Offer:

• Salary: £45,000 - £50,000
• 8.30am – 5pm (Monday-Thursday), 8.30am – 3pm (Friday)
• 38 hours per week – Hours are based on site
• 23 – 25 days Annual leave

Job Summary:

This role will manage a team of Development Chemists who are focused on developing new laundry and household cleaning products for both brand and retailer own brand ranges.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the team in the development of products which meet agreed product brief targets in terms of performance, safety, cost and time.
• Ensure all on pack claims are justified using agreed industry and regulatory standards.
• Provide the business with monthly updates on the progress of all NPD projects. Maintain a list of all Product Development tasks. Ensure all business-critical issues are reported in a timely manner to senior management.
• Ensure that MSDS, COSHH data and SOPs are available before any technical Product Development task is undertaken in the lab. Review and update process and procedures in line with regulation.
• Ensure all appropriate documentation is in place prior to the manufacture of any product. Liaise with Manufacturing and Quality Control gaining approval and support for any manufacturing and QC process or standard. Update any changes post-trial and ahead of first production.
• Ensure that all research work is conducted and documented to industry scientific standards.
• Ensure that production is aware of any unusual product properties or special process need ahead of any trial
• Proactively provide solutions to issues which may arise during the development process and/or in pilot plant manufacturing
• Provide action plans for continuous product and process improvement. Regularly review formulation costs setting this in context with external benchmark product
• Using market understanding, identify New Product opportunities and present any opportunity to the commercial team

Experience needed:

• In-depth knowledge of surfactants and raw material functionality for household and laundry Product Development. Excellent understanding of the product evaluation processes required to qualify on pack claims.
• Must be familiar with analytical techniques. 
• Ability to work effectively and represent the business both independently and as part of a team within and outside of the business.
• Ability to meet deadlines while being adaptable to cope with changes in priorities and interruptions.
• Good understanding of the regulatory environment and standards
• Ideally - Excellent knowledge of household/ laundry market and key competitors’ technology.
• Ideally - Have gained formulation experience within a R&D household/ laundry environment with a proven track record of delivering effective project leadership and product quality

If you are interested in hearing more about this position, please apply with your most recent CV.