Development Project Manager

This is what you’ll actually do!

As a Development Launch Manager, you'll take ownership of the project management and governance of EPD and NPD projects, ensuring each project has a clear and achievable critical path from development through to launch. You'll manage multiple projects simultaneously, driving progress against key milestones, actions, dependencies, approvals and sign-offs.

Working closely with Development, Operations, Technical, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial and Senior Management teams, you'll ensure projects remain aligned to agreed timelines and governance requirements. You'll coordinate project activity, maintain visibility of progress, and proactively identify and resolve risks, issues and barriers to delivery.

A key part of the role will be owning the product management system (P74), ensuring projects progress through all stage gates with the appropriate approvals, documentation and stakeholder alignment. You'll be confident challenging where necessary, driving accountability and managing expectations, while escalating issues appropriately to support timely decision-making.

You'll also be responsible for maintaining accurate project information, critical paths and governance records, leading project reviews and providing clear updates to stakeholders. Through effective coordination and communication, you'll help ensure actions are completed and projects remain on track.

With a high volume of projects running at any one time, strong organisation and prioritisation skills are essential. You'll be comfortable balancing competing priorities while maintaining oversight of the innovation pipeline and ensuring products are launched on time, to the required quality standards and in line with business objectives.

Ideally this is you!

Essential

• Strong project management, critical path planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and driving accountability across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and manage expectations at all levels.
• Experience managing project governance, stage-gate processes, approvals and sign-offs.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to identify risks, remove barriers and escalate issues where required.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate project information and systems.
• Proven track record of delivering projects to agreed timelines, quality standards and business objectives.
• Good understanding of manufacturing, supply chain and commercial processes within an FMCG, food manufacturing or similar environment.

Desirable

• Experience of managing NPD, innovation or product launch projects.
• Experience working with stage-gate or Recipe management systems such as P74.
• Lean, Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement training.
• Experience using project portfolio management, planning or ERP systems.
• Experience working within a multi-site manufacturing environment.