Tayto Snacks, a Great Place to Work certified company, is home to Ireland's most iconic snack brands including Tayto, Hunky Dorys and King crisps. We also distribute other household names like Hula Hoops, KP Nuts, Skips, Rancheros and Meanies. With around 400 employees in Ireland and our head office located in Ashbourne, Co. Meath - just 40 minutes from Dublin city centre, we're part of the Intersnack Group, Europe's leading producer of savoury snacks operating in over 30 European countries.
We're passionate about people and proud of the exciting careers we offer at Tayto Snacks. Currently, we have a vacancy within our Technical Department for the role of NPD Manager.
NPD Manager Job Description
This full-time permanent role will involve managing the day-to-day R&D function within the Technical team for the Tayto Snacks business. As the NPD Manager, you'll be responsible for managing a team of 5 R&D/Regulatory colleagues and overseeing the R&D process. You'll work closely with the Marketing, Commercial, Quality Assurance, Procurement and Operations teams to ensure the R&D process delivers innovation and renovation projects for Tayto Snacks. This role is a member of the site Technical Leadership Team, supporting and coaching the R&D team and wider technical team in Innovation and project management.
Key Responsibilities:
* Manage the Tayto Snacks R&D team, including recruitment, training and development, and colleague contribution processes.
* Develop and execute the Tayto Snacks R&D strategy, balancing local management unit and Category development requirements.
* Manage the day-to-day R&D process and packaging development for Tayto Snacks, liaising with the site manufacturing, Technical and Commercial/Marketing and external customer teams to deliver the R&D agenda across all categories.
* Develop and execute the R&D masterplan, coordinating with the local MU team and the Head of Technical on Group and Category Masterplans.
* Manage end-to-end the NPD, EPD and R&D project pipelines, including brand plan development and packaging reformat projects using the MOPD/MOPAD and Imagine stage-gate processes.
* Work with the Process Development, Quality and Operations team to optimize product development for the Tayto Snacks brands.
* Collaborate with the local and group supply and purchasing teams to ensure raw materials meet site and product requirements.
* Contribute to Value Engineering and SBT/CSR projects to ensure maximum plant flexibility and Intersnack product CSR compliance. Track and report on progress to Plan, internally, to group and Supply Partners.
* Maintain the specification database of Tayto products through ERP systems, Agile and other Intersnack specific systems (Optiva, future state).
* Provide training as required to operators and QA staff in new line specifications.
* Monitor consumer testing of new concepts and products with the marketing team.
* Regularly assess the Competitive and Benchmarking assessment for Tayto snacks key brands and implement corrective actions as needed.
* Leverage group insights and product developments by working with the Intersnack Group Category development teams.
Requirements:
* A minimum of 5-8 years' experience in FMCG in an R&D or Technical related discipline, ideally leading R&D Innovation agendas.
* A 3rd-level degree or diploma in Food Science/Engineering or Technical related qualification.
* Creative Innovator and Self-Starter.
* Strong technical knowledge of product innovation systems, including stage gate, specification and customer systems, project management, consumer testing and experimental design.
* Experience in frying/baking/seasoning technologies is desired but not essential.
* Familiarity with pack copy process and packaging materials, machinery and packaging technologies.
* Knowledge of legal labelling requirements.
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively across all levels and functions of the organisation.
* The role is primarily based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, but some travel may be required to other intercompany sites and suppliers.
Key Performance Indicators:
* Deliver a Site Safety culture through R&D team KPIs.
* Team development and the R&D operating model implementation.
* R&D Local masterplan adherence.
* Portfolio transformation in line with group and FSAI reformulation targets.
* Innovation pipeline alignment with agreed plan.
* Value Engineering/Portfolio Simplification workstreams in line with group and local plans.
* Identify new formats & optimise the range in line with consumer & market trends.
* R&D Tax Credit/Grant application and conformance documentation.
* Quality Benchmarking and Consumer acceptance testing.