Technical & NPD Manager

COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Wren Laboratories Ltd is the company behind Optibac Probiotics, the UK’s most recommended range of friendly bacteria supplements. We believe in cultivating an environment where talent thrives, ideas flourish, and every team member plays a crucial role in our collective success.
As scientists discover more about the important role of the gut in overall health and wellbeing, the global demand for probiotic supplements is increasing dramatically and as the experts in friendly bacteria, specialising entirely in live cultures, we are committed to producing a high quality supplement range containing some of the most researched strains in the world, developed in the world’s leading laboratories.
Our award-winning range is sold in the UK, Ireland and many international markets via multiple different sales channels including pharmacies, health food stores, grocery, online retailers, marketplaces and Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners.
Pioneers of the probiotics supplement category, Optibac has long been championing the gut health revolution, tirelessly educating professionals and consumers alike on the benefits of friendly bacteria in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Our continual mission is to ‘empower millions of people to change their lives with the power of probiotics’.
A highly ambitious company who believe in really making a difference to people's lives through their product range, maintaining a vibrant & inspiring workplace and to giving back to wider society through charitable giving. To date Wren Labs has donated over £2m to charitable causes.
As a family-run business we have a strong focus on work-life balance and ensuring contributions are recognised and valued.
TEAM PURPOSE
A dynamic and forward-thinking team responsible for developing Wren Laboratories' portfolio of probiotic supplements. The Technical Team owns the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) process, providing technical expertise, project leadership, and cross-functional coordination to deliver innovative and renovated products that support the company's growth strategy.
Working closely with Marketing, International, Sales, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Scientific Affairs, the team translates consumer, market, and commercial opportunities into successful product solutions. The team is responsible for ensuring that products are scientifically backed, technically robust, commercially viable, and delivered efficiently from concept through to launch.
The Technical Team acts as the company's centre of excellence for product development, formulation, ingredient technologies, quality testing and manufacturing processes. Through strong supplier partnerships and continuous monitoring of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market developments, the team identifies opportunities for innovation and renovation, maintaining a healthy pipeline of products that strengthen the portfolio and drive sustainable business growth.
Flexibility is essential at Wren Laboratories, with all teams working closely together to support and develop the Optibac brand. As such, occasional additional support duties may be required across other areas of the business.
MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE
To lead and develop the Technical Team, setting the vision, priorities and ways of working to deliver the team's purpose and support the company's growth strategy.
As the leader of the Technical Team, the role provides expertise in product development, formulation and manufacturing, while fostering strong partnerships with suppliers and key stakeholders across the business. The role is accountable for building team capability, continuously improving processes, and ensuring the organisation has the technical expertise and product development capability required to achieve its strategic objectives.
The post covers three key areas:
Strategy
Work with the Head of Science & Innovation to build and execute the NPD and portfolio strategy, ensuring it supports Optibac company growth objectives and commercial priorities.
Align and facilitate cross-functional teams to develop a promising, commercially focused product pipeline across relevant channels and markets.
Own the portfolio management process, gateway criteria and decision-making forums to deliver the pace, rigour and success needed in NPD.
Create and implement product strategy across existing products, renovations and new products, considering formulation, feasibility, cost and margin, format, pricing implications, channel suitability, launch readiness and post-launch optimisation.
Review consumer needs, category insights, competitor benchmarking, pricing, market data and trend information to identify opportunities for new product development and portfolio improvement.
Work closely with International, Marketing, Sales and Scientific Affairs to ensure product priorities, claims, documentation and registration requirements are considered early and integrated into the product strategy.
General
Maintain accurate technical records, compliance documentation, audits and corrective actions.
Ensure existing and new products have strong scientific evidence, working closely with Scientific Affairs to translate evidence, consumer needs and product requirements into robust final formulations.
Lead commercially focused supplement product development, including formulation, feasibility assessment, cost and margin evaluation, raw material and supplier assessment, technical documentation, manufacturing considerations, launch readiness and post-launch optimisation.
Evaluate probiotic strains, ingredients, formats, dose levels, product claims, pricing implications and final product specifications to ensure the complete product proposition is technically robust, commercially viable and fit for purpose.
Support International registration requirements by ensuring technical documentation, formulation detail, ingredient evidence, claims substantiation and market-specific requirements are available and accurate.
Have a good understanding of Health & Nutrition claims to support areas such as on-pack wording, technical substantiation and compliant product communication.
Team Management
Lead, supervise, guide and motivate the Technical Team, fostering a positive, inclusive and collaborative team environment.
Manage and support Technical Team advisors, ensuring team strategy, goals, priorities and tasks are directly related to company objectives.
Set clear individual objectives and priorities, delegate effectively, monitor performance and take final responsibility for department output, quality, standards and deadlines.
Coach and mentor team members to build capability, support professional development and enable personal growth in line with business needs and individual ambition.
Ensure the team evolves with the needs of the business, including resourcing, ways of working, process improvements and cross-functional collaboration.
Oversee project timelines, deliverables, risks and status reporting to stakeholders, ensuring projects remain aligned to agreed priorities and expectations.
Manage team resources effectively, including budget, equipment and personnel.
DESIRABLE SKILLS & ABILITIES
Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills.
Ability to present written information in a structured and balanced way appropriate to the needs of the reader.
Ability to understand the bigger picture and broad aims, as well as in-depth analysis and attention to detail
Excellent organisational skills, logical thinking and ability to prioritise
Ability to adapt and juggle multiple tasks, whilst demonstrating the ability to prioritise tasks in order of importance and meet deadlines efficiently
Strong administration skills and familiarity with business software such as Microsoft Office
Continually demonstrate confidentiality, discretion and dependability
Flexibility, ability and willingness to learn and pick up new processes
The ability to work accurately, with attention to detail
Demonstrate driven, hardworking and self-motivated attitude
Keen interest in the gut microbiome and the research in this field
Perseverance until appropriate level of technical detail is obtained
Be a good listener, have genuine interest in welfare of team members, and strive to resolve any delicate workplace issues in a constructive way
Be a good team worker demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and team members
Ability to cope well with pressure / high expectations from diverse areas of the business
Excellent interpersonal skills to work closely with people both within the business and externally
Willing to travel, occasionally outside of normal working hours
KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Relevant experience and understanding of the health food or supplement industry
Well established product development or technical experience in the food or supplement industry
Good understanding of physiology and pathology, including the involvement of the gut microbiome
Qualification, at least to diploma or degree level, in a health related or food science subject

Work arrangement
Yes