Director New Product Development
Are you a proven Director New Product Development who has delivered campaigns across the chilled, multiple ingredients, food category?
Have you managed a diverse portfolio of European countries, where consumer tastes & buying habits vary country to country?
Do you have a passion for developing world class food eating concepts & experiences for a consumers both at home & on the move?
MacGregor Black are partner with a International Food Manufacturing group on the search for a Director New Product Development. This is a permanent role based in mainland Europe (ideally Netherlands).
As the Director New Product Development, you will steer the organisation’s creative engine and fostering a culture of ingenuity. This role involves identifying emerging trends, developing strategic innovation initiatives, and integrating cutting-edge solutions to maintain competitive advantage. You will act as a catalyst for change, bridging the gap between abstract ideas and practical implementation, while also ensuring alignment with the company's overarching goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading the development and execution of the organisation's innovation strategy to drive growth and competitive advantage
- Identifying and analysing new technologies, market trends, and industry insights to inform innovation opportunities
- Building and managing a diverse innovation portfolio, including incremental improvements and breakthrough initiatives
- Facilitating collaboration across departments to ensure the integration of innovative solutions into the company's products, services, and operations
- Establishing an innovation framework or process that encourages creative thinking and the generation of new ideas
- Overseeing the innovation pipeline, ensuring a steady flow of projects from ideation to implementation
- Engaging with external ecosystems, such as startups, research institutions, and other partners, to source and implement novel solutions
- Championing a culture of innovation within the organisation by promoting risk-taking and learning from failure
- Securing funding and resources for innovation projects, including presenting business cases to stakeholders and executive leadership
- Measuring and reporting on the impact of innovation initiatives, including performance metrics and ROI
- Mentoring and developing team members to build a strong, cross-functional team capable of executing the innovation agenda
- Staying abreast of legal and regulatory developments that could impact the innovation process or the adoption of new technologies
What are we looking for?
- Bachelor's degree in Food Technology
- 5years+ experience as a Director New Product Development
- Effective and empathic communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with colleagues at all organisational levels.
- Demonstrated managerial courage and the ability to influence and drive strategies with senior leaders
- Track record of driving agile innovation and making smart, measured risks
- Proven ability to maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional partners (Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, etc.)
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment characterised by ambiguity and change
Competitive salary + benefits.
Please contact Jon McNeish for more information today.
