Job vacancy NPD Concepts and Markets Officer

Storm Recruitment are currently seeking an NPD Concepts and Markets Officer to join their clients team in Naas, Co. Kildare.  The NPD Concepts and Markets Officer will be responsible for developing new concepts and keeping the business up to date with current market developments in pet food in our target markets. They will develop new pet food concepts based on the market, potential customers and on lifestyle and cultural influences. They will work closely with the Sales and Marketing department and production departments to ensure that NPD concepts are in line with company targets and are achievable in reality within the limitations of the production process. The concepts will cover the whole product from the food itself through to the packaging & marketing.

Key Responsibilities:
Responsibilities associated with this role include, but are not limited to:

• Challenge the business to deliver new products based on the market, customers expectations and on pushing the boundaries on new pet treat concepts
• Ensure that NPD concepts are delivered in line with IDF policies and strategies
• Responsible for ensuring new product concepts are brought from concept to fruition through the stage-gated New Product Introduction (NPI) process
• Research, collate and prepare market reports on individual target markets
• Research and prepare reports on potential new product concepts
• Research and prepare horizon scanning reports on developments in potential new products, ingredients, legislative changes, customer developments, sales and marketing strategies
• Ensure that the development of new product ideas is always in line with the requirements of the HACCP/HARPC system to ensure food safety
• Work in a cohesive manner with all departments including Marketing, Sales, Production, Maintenance, Administration, Technical and Purchasing as appropriate to progress the NPD/NPI processes
• Proactively manage NPD projects in line with IDF policies or strategies
• Understand and interpret EU and export market legislation and adapt to any factors that may limit access of our products

Qualifications/ Experience/ Skills:

• Minimum 2-year food industry experience within a similar discipline
• BSc Food Technology/Food Science/Nutritional Science or related discipline
• Direct meat experience would be advantageous
• Knowledge of food/meat processing technology
• Technical, commercial & marketing aptitude
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• The ability to work on own initiative and be self-organised and disciplined

• Demonstrate an energetic, self-motivated and flexible approach in all matters
• Proficient in MS Office and other relevant systems

If you are interested and want more information, contact lucy@stormrecruitment.ie