New Product Development (NPD) Production Manager

About the role

The New Product Development (NPD) Production Manager will lead the end‑to‑end creation and launch of new FMCG products, ensuring smooth transition from concept to full‑scale manufacturing. This role combines product development expertise with hands‑on production management to drive quality, efficiency and cost‑effectiveness.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the NPD process, including concept evaluation, pilot trials, sampling and commercial launch.
• Coordinate pilot runs and scale‑up activities, ensuring successful hand‑over to full production.
• Develop production plans, optimise processes, equipment utilisation and workflow to reduce costs.
• Collaborate with R&D, QA, procurement, supply chain, sales and marketing for seamless product commercialization.
• Provide technical guidance to production teams during implementation and scale‑up.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, food‑safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain product specifications, production procedures and technical documentation.
• Support product costing, budget planning and cost‑optimisation initiatives.
• Track project timelines, milestones and performance indicators, reporting progress to management.

Required profile

• Degree in Food Science, Production Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in production management, product development or manufacturing operations.
• Experience in FMCG manufacturing and new product commercialization is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

What we offer

• Competitive salary of KSH 100,000 per month.
• Opportunity to lead innovative product launches in a fast‑growing FMCG environment.
• Professional development and career growth prospects.