NPD Product Lead - China & Franchise

at  Holland Barrett

We are seeking a Product Development lead, to lead the creation and delivery of New Product Development (NPD) for China and our franchise partners. In this pivotal role, you will interface with the International Development team, coordinating activities and serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for country-based Product Developers.
You will report to the Group Product Director within our Group New Product Development team and will have the opportunity to line manage an international product developer and a product assistant. Additionally, you will provide guidance to international product developers, including those based in China.
If you are passionate about driving innovation in wellness products and are ready to play a key role in our international growth strategy, we would really like to hear from you.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Product Development, Marketing, Business Administration).
• Proven experience in New Product Development, particularly in international markets.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Mandarin is highly desirable
• Understanding of regulatory requirements and quality standards for NPD in international markets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the end-to-end process of New Product Development for China and franchise partners, ensuring alignment with market needs and business goals.
• Interface with the International Development team to coordinate NPD activities and ensure seamless integration across regions.
• Act as the SME contact for country-based Product Developers, providing guidance, support, and ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Manage the international product developer and product assistant, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Provide dotted line management to international product developers, including those based in China, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
• Report to the Group Product Director, providing regular updates on NPD progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Ensure timely and efficient delivery of NPD projects, meeting quality standards and market requirements.
• Monitor and analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor activities to identify NPD opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including group functions and markets to ensure successful product launches. Key stakeholders include insight, product integrity, sourcing, and commercial.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with franchise partners, understanding their needs and ensuring NPD efforts align with their market strategies

Our Benefits for this role include, but not limited to:

• H&B Employee Discount - 25%
• Bonus
• Pension company contribution
• 33 Days Holiday per year (Inclusive of bank holidays)
• Private Medical Care
• Exclusive benefits, free advice and savings from a range of retailers and providers
• Electric Car Schem