Bakery NPD Manager

Role Purpose

Working closely with our Account Management team, this role will identify new opportunities for our range of bread and cake confectionery products across Industrial plant and large craft bakery accounts. Taking ownership of product demonstrations, creation of briefs for customised products and subsequent trials with customers, to progress NPD samples to full sign off. The role will also work closely with the R&D teams in other Operating Companies (OpCo’s), who are the manufacturing source for bread and cake confectionery lines, to ensure ingredients and functionality meet the requirements for the UK market.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate core and new Zeelandia bread and cake confectionery products in designated accounts (industrial bakers, large craft bakery chains), and support new recipe development
• Identify opportunities for volume driven, profitable new product development projects within designated accounts or new prospects and work with customers to write comprehensive briefs to submit to R&D technologists in manufacturing OpCo’s

·       Provide technical advice for designated accounts, acting as a trouble shooter and dealing with questions and problems in use of Zeelandia UK products 

• Understand process and product development challenges, along with timelines and listing windows for designated accounts and prepare briefs for any redevelopment of existing products to meet cost targets or enhance functionality
• Attend and support approved factory trials and first production runs at designated accounts
• Collaborate with UK sales account managers, customer services, marketing and quality team and with R&D teams in manufacturing OpCo’s, to ensure exceptional and timely technical service to all designated accounts
• Manage assigned customer relationships and report activities to the MRD and Sales Director and the designated sales account manager
• Prepare visit reports, weekly planners and project briefs in a timely, detailed and professional manner
• Monitor new technical and functionality trends in the UK bread and cake confectionery market and working with the MRD director prepare insight presentations with baked product samples to demonstrate to designated and prospect customers
• Support at customer and industry events as required by MRD Director
• Support at onsite Strategic and Key Account customer visits at Colchester or Wigan as required
• Regular travel to customer sites will be required as well as time at UK Zeelandia sites at Colchester (6-8 days per calendar month)

• Attend and contribute to required meetings

Skills, experience & qualifications

• BTEC or BSC (Hons) in Bakery, Bakery Technology or Food Science is preferred; will accept 15 years of experience in lieu of a recognised qualification

·       10 years of baking experience working with industrial manufacturers in the UK or European plant bread market is preferable

·       Good knowledge of bread ingredient functionality

·       Good problem-solving skills

·       Good project management skills

·       Proficient in the use of Microsoft IT systems

Person Profile

• Outgoing, energetic and confident self-starter with good time management skills
• Effective communicator – oral and written
• Genuine interest in bakery market trends and innovation
• Team player with ability to take the lead on assigned projects
• Ambitious for further career development

Behaviours & Our Core Values

• Integrity and Respect in Action — acts fairly, is honest, and creates an inclusive environment.
• Ownership and Responsibility — takes accountability, learns from feedback, follows through.
• Going Beyond, Every Time — goes the extra mile for colleagues and customers; raises the bar.
• Innovation with Purpose — tests practical ideas, measures impact, scales what works.
• Champions of Change — communicates clearly, brings people with them through change.
• Passionate Pursuit of Success — outcome-focused, balances pace with quality.

Meetings & Communication (attendance expectations

Must attend:

• team huddles (daily), 1:1 with line manager, functional reviews
• Commercial Meetings
• Internal and External Stakeholder meetings
• H&S Meetings
• training/refresher sessions
• May attend (role-dependent): project boards, governance/quality forums, client/regulator meetings.

Health & Safety (role-holder duties)

• Work safely and follow training, method statements, SSOW and risk assessments at all times.
• Report hazards, near-misses and incidents immediately; support investigations (incl. RIDDOR where applicable).
• Use, maintain and store PPE correctly; keep work area safe and tidy.
• Complete all mandatory H&S training and refreshers on time.
• Participate in toolbox talks, safety briefings and H&S Committee activity as required.

Food Safety Requirements

• To carry out all employee obligations with the Food Safety Act 1990 and all other subsequent legislation relating to Food Safety, including full compliance with Zeelandia food safety policies and internal procedures.
• Where necessary, liaise with the Technical Manager/Quality Manager regarding food safety, quality or legality issues and report any issues to the site Technical / Quality Manager.
• Ensure a high level of hygiene standard is consistently achieved and good practices are maintained throughout  your area of the business with continuous improvements made, where applicable.
• Support activities to maintain BRC Certification for the site.
• Identify training requirements and implement/organise/ undertake training.
• Report Food Safety incidences immediately.