Product Manager – Food

Overview

Senior Product Manager – Food Innovation & NPD | Dorset (Hybrid)

NPD Food Product Manager Job Dorset | Product Development | FMCG | Food Manufacturing | Retail | Innovation

Dovetail Recruitment are recruiting for a Senior Product Manager to join a fast-growing FMCG food business delivering innovative own-label products to major UK retailers.

This is a highly commercial, end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) role with ownership across innovation strategy, formulation, retailer engagement, category growth, and product launches. You’ll play a key role in developing commercially successful food products aligned with emerging consumer trends, health, nutrition, and retailer priorities.

Working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, you’ll collaborate closely with retail customers, international suppliers, and cross-functional teams to bring innovative food concepts to market quickly and effectively.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced Senior Product Manager, NPD Manager, Product Development Manager, or Senior NPD Technologist looking to take greater ownership of retailer relationships, innovation pipelines, and category direction within FMCG food manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NPD projects from concept through to launch and scale-up
• Develop and optimise food formulations across taste, nutrition, quality, and cost parameters
• Manage project timelines, critical paths, and product launch activity
• Deliver retailer presentations, benchmarking, and product tastings
• Use market trends, consumer insight, and category analysis to drive innovation
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners, including occasional UK/EU travel
• Work cross-functionally with technical, sourcing, commercial, and supply chain teams
• Support retailer relationships and contribute to category growth plans
• Ensure products meet commercial, technical, and customer requirements

Skills & Experience Required

• 5+ years’ experience within NPD, product development, or food manufacturing
• Background within FMCG food manufacturing, ambient food, or retail supply
• Strong knowledge of food formulation, ingredients, and sensory evaluation
• Proven project management and critical path management experience
• Experience presenting to retailers and managing customer relationships
• Commercial awareness including costings, pricing, and margin management
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Passion for food innovation, consumer trends, and category development

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• Annual bonus scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• 25 days holiday increasing to 30 days with service
• Option to buy additional holiday
• Medical cash plan and mental health support
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous company sick pay
• Pension contribution scheme
• Ongoing learning, development, and progression opportunities
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Regular company social events
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay

Keywords

Senior Product Manager | NPD Manager | Product Development Manager | FMCG | Food Manufacturing | New Product Development | Food Innovation | Retail | Own Label | Formulation | Category Development | Product Launch | Ambient Food | Consumer Trends | Project Management

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