What is an NPD Technologist?

What Does NPD Stand For?

In business and marketing, NPD stands for New Product Development, encompassing the entire process from idea generation to product launch, with many steps in between. It's also sometimes referred to as NPI (New Product Introduction) and can cover EPD (Existing Product Development).

What is NPD in Food Manufacturing?

The NPD process involves researching, developing, testing, and launching new or existing products. Specific tasks include ingredient testing, supplier research, food production line trials, taste panels, shelf-life testing, packaging trials, and consumer research (both pre and post-development).

Why is NPD Important?

NPD is crucial for business growth as consumer tastes and trends are constantly evolving. For food manufacturers to expand or maintain their market share in this competitive sector, they must continuously develop and launch new products or redevelop existing ones.

What Does an NPD Technologist Do?

An NPD Technologist is involved at each stage of the development process (sometimes referred to as gate stages in larger businesses) to ensure products meet the required brief, specifications, and food safety requirements. Their responsibilities typically include:

• Developing and innovating new products and processes from concept to launch, ensuring all products meet commercial, technical, and customer requirements.
• Reformulating existing products to improve quality, cost, and processes.
• Monitoring and benchmarking product quality of new and existing products.
• Managing factory trials and process development to transfer products from kitchen to factory successfully.
• Building effective relationships with customers and suppliers regarding product development.
• Recording all required information to generate accurate costings for new products.

How Does the NPD Team Know Which Products to Make?

The NPD team usually works to a concept brief, a detailed document outlining the product requirements, cost limitations, ingredient restrictions (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, nut-free), and other specifications. These briefs are typically supplied internally by the Sales or Marketing team or externally by customers, which could be food retailers or other food manufacturers.

What Makes a Good NPD Technologist?

A passion for food is essential. An NPD Technologist should be a keen foodie with excellent knowledge of food and consumer trends, ingredients, and products currently on the market. Key skills include:

• Creativity.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Organisation/project management skills.
• A methodical approach.

What Qualifications Does an NPD Technologist Need?

For an entry-level role, companies generally require a degree or at least an HND-level qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, or Nutrition. A degree with a new product development food industry placement is an excellent foundation for starting an NPD career. While culinary qualifications/training can be beneficial, knowledge of the scientific aspects of ingredients, chemicals, and ingredient functionality is often required.

What is a Typical Career Path for an NPD Technologist?

Career paths can vary, but a typical progression might look like this:

• Entry Level: Junior / NPD Assistant / NPD Technologist.
• 2-5 Years: NPD Technologist.
• 5-8 Years: Senior NPD Technologist.
• 8-15 Years: NPD Manager.
• 15+ Years: Head of Product Development / NPD Controller.

What Salary Does an NPD Technologist Earn in the UK?

In 2023, the average salary for an NPD Technologist in the UK was £28,618, while a Senior NPD Technologist earned an average of £37,478. All our salary data can be found in our UK Food Manufacturing Jobs Salary Survey 2024.

How Can a Food Graduate Find an NPD Job?