NPD Controller (Product & Process)

At Weetabix, we believe that diverse teams drive better ideas, stronger decisions, and a more inclusive workplace for everyone. We’re committed to building an organisation where people from all walks of life feel they belong—where different voices, experiences, and backgrounds are valued and respected.

Closing date: 28th July 2026
Interview process: Two Stage Interview Process
Working pattern: You will be based on-site, creating great opportunities to collaborate, strengthen team connections and build high‑impact working relationships face to face.

We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can support you.

Weetabix is on an exciting growth journey, and many of the opportunities we are recruiting for are newly created roles. These positions reflect our investment in people, capabilities and innovation as we continue to build for the future.

As NPD Controller (Product & Process), you will own the development and delivery of innovative, consumer-focused products that drive business growth and strengthen brand performance. Working across innovation, renovation, nutrition and value engineering programmes, you will translate insights and emerging trends into commercially successful products, ensuring technical excellence, operational readiness and scalable manufacturing solutions. You will also play a key role in shaping future products and capabilities through the adoption of new technologies and continuous improvement.

• Own product and process development projects from concept to launch, delivering scalable, consumer-focused solutions.
• Drive innovation, renovation and nutrition programmes that support business growth and brand performance.
• Develop and optimise products, balancing consumer appeal, quality, nutrition and commercial goals.
• Ensure successful factory scale-up, launch readiness and compliance with technical, quality and regulatory standards.
• Use consumer insight, market trends and emerging technologies to identify new product opportunities.
• Own value engineering and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and optimise costs.
• Work across functions to deliver innovation and provide technical expertise that supports business decisions.
• Manage development systems, data and governance to ensure accuracy, visibility and effective risk management.
• Own and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of safety, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to long-term business strategy, shaping future product capabilities and development priorities.
• Develop and own and lead the nutrition strategy, including the quarterly steering group, ensuring products remain nutritionally competitive and are developed within agreed guardrails.
• Ownership of pilot plant, labs and technical building capability as well as  5‑year Capex plan for the Technical Building, including structure, equipment, facilities, and pilot plant investment

Key Know How:

• Experience in food product development and process engineering within an FMCG environment.
• Knowledge of food science, ingredients, processing technologies, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Proven track record of delivering new products from concept through to launch.
• Knowledge of food safety, quality, nutrition and regulatory requirements.
• Commercial understanding of cost, margin, and business case dynamics and experience leading value engineering or cost optimisation programmes.
• Ability to translate consumer and market insights into successful product solutions.
• Leader with excellent collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
• Experience using product lifecycle management and specification systems.
• Knowledge of digital tools, emerging technologies and continuous improvement practices.
• Knowledge of sustainability, value engineering and cost optimisation principles.
• Degree-qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Engineering or a related discipline. Ideally supported by recognised training such as HACCP and food safety qualifications

Competitive salary & Annual Flexible benefits

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career, and life outside work.

• Annual bonus
• Double-matched pension scheme (up to 12% from us)
• 25 days annual leave increasing with service
• Annual Salary review
• Healthcare plan
• Discounted Weetabix products

To support our employees, we also offer:

• Continued investment in your personal development
• We believe in balance, whether it's for family, rest or simply time for you. As well as your holiday entitlement, you can purchase up to 5 days of additional annual leave
• Access to 24/7 counselling service (via Grocery Aid partnership)
• The freedom of Flexible Work Opportunities
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Leave
• Additional Time Off for Fertility Treatment and Neonatal Care
• Working Parents Support Group
• Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy

To learn more about life at Weetabix, visit our careers page: https://careers.weetabixfoodcompany.co.uk/

Please note: We benchmark roles based on your skills and experience, so we do not advertise fixed salary ranges.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position; therefore, we are seeking candidates who do not require sponsorship.

We utilise our Preferred Agency Supplier Partners as and when we require additional support

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