NPD Manager, E Sussex

Job Description

THE ROLE

This is a brand new role for an Innovation Project Manager to sit within the dynamic Nutrition+Innovation Team. The successful candidate should have experience of new product development from conception to launch with a passion for bringing innovative wellness products to market in a very quick-moving and fast-growing business.

Reporting to (and supported by) our Head of Innovation you will be an integral part of the team, working collaboratively and cross-functionally at all levels and with all departments to support and manage the new product development (NPD) pipeline from concept through to launch, including ongoing category and product lifecycle management.

This role is a gateway to making a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of wellness supplements and offers the chance to be part of a team that values innovation, efficacy and sustainability to make a meaningful difference in the health and wellbeing of consumers.

YOU WILL

Support the drive, and management of the new product development pipeline – from concept through to launch, including ongoing category and product lifecycle management.
Assist in the iterative refinement of new product formulations and enhancements to existing offerings, incorporating market research, consumer feedback, and regulatory insights.
Identify and evaluate suppliers and ingredients for quality with a strong focus on sustainability.
Work on formula optimisation, and manage supply chain logistics to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of new products to market
Conduct and oversee comprehensive quality control and third-party testing e.g., heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, and other necessary quality control and quality assurance assessments to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards in the UK, EU and US.
Work with the Head of Innovation on managing critical paths ensuring all actions are achieved within deadlines to hit launch windows.
Follow and enhance internal NPD process, working collaboratively with key departments and stakeholders to support effective end-to-end new product development execution.
Maintain rigorous documentation and stay updated on industry regulations, standards, and guidelines, contributing to the team's knowledge base and innovation capacity.

Who You Are

To be successful in this role, you will need the following skills / knowledge / experience:

Experience with developing innovative and market-disruptive products within the health supplement and wellness sector.
Experience with sourcing ingredients with a focus on sustainability and commercialisation is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with the regulatory requirements for nutritional supplements in the UK, EU and US (required).
Exceptional communication skills, with a demonstrated track in effective collaboration across departments and with external partners.
Demonstrable ability to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, with a clear understanding of how to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of quickly addressing formulation challenges and optimising product performance.
Project management experience with excellent organisational and planning skills, coupled with the ability to work well under pressure and manage tight deadlines.

Further, to truly thrive at Ancient + Brave you will need to embody the spirit of our brand and align with our company culture. You are:

Highly self-motivated with an ability to take initiative and run with it
Solution focused with a ‘can-do’ attitude and a strong work ethic
Known for having tonnes of energy, a positive outlook and a growth mindset
A collaborative team player who also excels in independent settings
Exceptional communicator, able to convey information clearly and concisely
Entrepreneurial and commercially minded
Able and willing to work in fast paced startup environments that are often full of ambiguity – an ability to effectively prioritise will be key
Passionate about doing greater good and the future we’re building – we expect our team to be supporting our B-Corp and ESG goals while being proactive and mindful in suggesting ideas for the business to improve its practices