New Product Development Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a senior Operations/Manufacturing leader with strong experience in the Beverage / Bottling / Packaged Drinking Water industry, along with exposure to New Product Development (NPD), manufacturing projects and business expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multi-unit / co-packer manufacturing operations with focus on productivity, efficiency and operational excellence.
• Drive production planning, capacity utilisation and manufacturing excellence across facilities.
• Lead NPD initiatives, including product development, trials, scale-up and commercialisation.
• Oversee quality systems, process compliance and manufacturing standards.
• Lead CAPEX, plant expansion, commissioning and manufacturing projects.
• Drive continuous improvement, cost optimisation and operational performance.
• Build and lead high-performing manufacturing and operations teams.

Ideal Candidate

• 12–18 years of experience in Beverage, Bottling, Packaged Drinking Water or allied FMCG manufacturing.
• Strong experience in Operations / Manufacturing leadership with multi-location or co-packer exposure.
• Hands-on NPD experience in beverages/FMCG is highly preferred.
• Proven experience in plant expansion, capacity planning and manufacturing projects.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and execution capabilities.
• Candidates currently working in Beverage / Bottling / Packaged Water manufacturing will be preferred.