New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager - Food Manufacturing & CPG

Our client is seeking a New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager to lead cross-functional commercialization projects from concept approval through plant trials, scale-up, validation, and full commercial launch. This role ensures new products are introduced with capable, repeatable processes and that all functions R&D, Quality/Food Safety, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales are aligned throughout the launch lifecycle.

This position is ideal for a highly organized, process-driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects.

Onsite | No Visa Sponsorship | Relocation Assistance: Limited

Responsibilities:

Project Leadership

• Lead end-to-end commercialization projects from concept through launch.
• Manage multiple projects across retail, foodservice, and industrial channels.
• Identify and resolve risks, bottlenecks, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Drive stage-gate execution and ensure decision readiness at each milestone.
• Build and maintain integrated project plans, timelines, risk registers, budgets, and launch-readiness criteria.

Manufacturing Readiness & Process Development

• Own and maintain SOPs related to the product launch lifecycle.
• Drive adoption and consistency of commercialization processes across teams and facilities.
• Ensure new products are launched with documented, repeatable, and capable processes.
• Support identification of equipment needs, line modifications, and capital requirements for new product launches.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align with Supply Chain on raw materials, packaging, and supplier readiness.
• Coordinate with Operations on production readiness, capacity planning, and scheduling.
• Partner with Product Development on formulations, specifications, and customer expectations.
• Work with Quality/Food Safety to ensure compliance with labeling, allergen control, validation, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the central point of contact for assigned projects across R&D, Quality/Food Safety, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales.

Continuous Improvement

• Support post-launch reviews to evaluate performance and drive sustained improvements.
• Identify opportunities to standardize and optimize commercialization processes across plants.
• Embed continuous improvement principles into launch activities to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost performance.

Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• NPI project leadership.
• Manufacturing readiness & scale-up experience.
• Cross-functional commercialization in food/CPG.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects.
• Experience managing end-to-end commercialization or product launch projects.
• Experience with SOP development or process improvement initiatives preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Supply Chain, Food Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in product commercialization, project management, or product management within food manufacturing or CPG.

Nice-to-Haves:

• SOP development.
• Process improvement experience.

Work Environment:

• This role is based on-site in a professional office setting with regular interaction with manufacturing facilities. Occasional travel (10–15%) is required for plant trials, validations, and startup support. Plant visits may involve exposure to varying temperatures and typical food manufacturing conditions.

Benefits & Perks:

• Paid Time Off
• Bonus Eligibility
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Professional Development and Career Growth Opportunities