Our client is an international manufacturer of timber products for use in the building trade and has sites all over the world.

The role of assistant to the New Product and Business Development Manager will be an exciting and challenging one bringing the successful applicant into direct contact with customers including B & Q, Argos, Homebase etc., international suppliers and other external agencies.

The main purposes of the role will be:

To analyse, evaluate and report upon market, competitor and sales channel, trends and developments across the Finnforest UK business area.

Appraisal and development of prospective new products and channel strategies.

To provide administrative support to the NPBD function.

Key Responsibilities:

Searching various media in pursuit of new products and potential new customers.

Distillation of information and creation of professional reports to support the New Product and Business Development Manager in appraisal of new products and markets.

Creating reports for use by cross-functional teams e.g. procurement, production, logistics, finance and I.T.

Project management of product development tasks in line with new product introduction procedures.

Administrative duties such as completion of SAP forms, generation of Bills of Materials (BOM) and completion of New Product Introduction forms.

Develop a thorough understanding of the market trends, competitor developments and changing product requirements within the relevant product categories and sales channels.

Analyse these in depth and report upon them, identifying products and sales channels with prospective potential that will assist in assessing new product and sales channel opportunities.

Assist in the development of product and channel strategies and tactical plans, working closely also in conjunction with the relevant procurement, production, logistics, finance, IT, sales and marketing teams to ensure they are provided with the necessary information that is both timely and accessible.

Monitor, report upon, and provide feedback to employee-generated ideas for improved, new or rejuvenated products, or for enhancing their profitability, and for new selling and sales channel opportunities.

Provide support to the sales function in customer presentations, where required.

Applicants must:
Have a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software.
Be an excellent communicator, with good influencing and interpersonal skills
Demonstrate strong organisational and administrative skills
Be a good team worker, able to support others and build strong working relationships.
Be able to communicate effectively and take direction from a variety of staff members at all levels
Be self motivated and able to prioritise workload.
Be able to work under pressure to meet implementation targets.
Be open to regular travel throughout the country

Not essential but of advantage:
Have at least a years experience in new product development or similar environment (e.g. Industrial placement experience)Educated to degree level in a marketing, or business development related subject.