Interim NPD Manager

Interim New Product Development Manager - Being an interim means that you will have to get to grips with the company in a short space of time.

As an Interim NPD Manager within the food industry, you will need to be able to adapt to situations quickly, as joining a fast paced food manufacturing environment will introduce to problems where every day is a new challenge. As an interim NPD manager it is essential you initially get to know your team and understand the workings of the factory and its limitations. Meeting your customers and gaining their trust is a priority, many interim NPD managers will move around businesses but may also keep a common link with a particular retailer, which then becomes a key selling point for them.

Pro's and Con's of being and interim NPD manager within the food industry

What would be the interesting side?

Being an interim NPD manager would allow you to illustrate your creative side - different projects would open the door for more opportunities and can be a great step for a creative 'foodie'. As an interim NPD manager, you will be heavily involved in new product design and launches and will have the added benefit of being able to walk into a supermarket and see a product you have helped to create on the shelf in front of you.

Working as an interim NPD manager, you will be given the chance to work in different product categories and can develop products that you may not have had the option to do if you had remained in a permanent role. As contracts are often short, you can find that in a relatively short space of time, your product range, supplier base and industry contacts increase rapidly as you move from assignment to assignment.

What may be the difficult side?

In terms of an interim npd manager as opposed to a permanent npd manager role, you may find yourself picking up the pieces in some situations, or joining projects part way through. Despite the attractive pay rates that interim NPD managers often receive, it can require you to work away from home and sometimes be based from a hotel for the duration of your contract. Whilst some may see this as a negative, many jump at the opportunity and become excited at the prospect of a change.


Why would a company require an interim NPD manager?
There are several reasons why they may be looking for an interim NPD manager.

There may be a requirement for additional support with a difficult or large product launches.
Maternity or sick cover - If a business is in the middle of a product launch programme and their NPD manager is due to go on maternity leave.
If the current NPD manager falls ill, a "safe" pair of hands will be required to take over and finish the project
Specific skill set requirement - If the company has decided to move into a certain category that they have no experience of, it would be important to involve an experienced interim NPD manager.

What might be expected of an interim NPD manager?

You would need to do extensive research regarding the product ranges and the company history to ensure that you are creating the right products for that client. This would be a continual process for someone who wants to stay current and ahead of the competition. Businesses who look to use interim NPD managers and other interim professionals will be looking for people who can fall into place very quickly and effectively.

Reporting Structure

As an interim NPD manager you will more than likely have a team that reports into you. This of course depends on the reason for the role you are undertaking and the size of the business you will be working for. The team could consist of development chefs, concept technologists and process technologists. The size of the team all depends on the size of the company.

An interim NPD manager would report to depends on the business itself and their reporting structure but could range from the Development Controller, Innovation Director, Managing Director or Site Director.

The importance of the role is not determined by the reporting structure; therefore an interim NPD manager who reports to a development controller does not necessarily have a different remit from the NPD manager that reports to the Managing Director. Usually the smaller the business the more duties and departments each individual may be required to look after.

Check out the latest Interim NPD Manager opportunities.