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