Production & NPD Manager

The Role

Role: Production & NPD Manager

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Mon-Fri (flexible working hours)

Salary: £40-50K per annum

Location: Hybrid, with at least 1 day per week in central London office

You’ll own the production quality, working closely with our Supply Chain Manager to make sure every batch is traceable, every spec is met, and every product that reaches a shelf or a doorstep meets our exacting standards.

What You’ll Be Doing

Production Management

• Own the day-to-day relationship with our co-packer; bottling schedules, run planning, changeovers, and capacity against demand.
• Oversee goods-in of bulk oil and bottling/labelling/packing to spec at the co-packer.
• Continually look for ways to improve production processes; reducing waste, speeding up changeovers, and finding cost efficiencies without compromising quality

Quality, Compliance & Traceability

• Own batch traceability end to end: Certificates of Analysis and production records from our growers and miller through to finished goods
• Maintain and enforce quality specs for oil, bottles, labels and packaging across all producers and formats
• Own the Product Recall & Withdrawal Procedure
• Manage food safety and compliance documentation (BRC accreditation checks, organic certification, import/customs paperwork) with producers and the co-packer
• Investigate and resolve quality complaints or defects before they become a pattern

Supply & Stock Planning

• Monitor stock levels across bulk oil and finished goods.
• Support import and freight coordination and customs documentation for incoming shipments

NPD

• Lead new product and format development end-to-end — from concept and costing through to trial runs and launch
• Scope and cost new formats with the co-packer
• Run trials and sign off specs, labelling and packaging artwork before launch
• Keep NPD timelines on track across co-packer, design and marketing
• Support new-market launches (e.g. US) — packaging and label compliance for new formats

About you

• Production, quality, or NPD experience in food & drink — essential.
• Experience working with co-packers or contract manufacturers.
• Confident with Certificates of Analysis, batch records, and food safety/compliance basics.
• Organised, detail-driven, and able to manage multiple projects.
• Comfortable holding external partners to account.
• Comfortable with data; spreadsheets, tracking systems, quick to learn new tools.

Nice to have

• Experience with import/export and customs for food products.
• Experience with olive oil or another agricultural commodity.
• Interest in food, sustainability, or regenerative agriculture.

In return, you’ll get:

• 28 days holiday, in addition to bank holidays.
• An opportunity to grow within a scaling business.
• Flexibility to support your work-life balance.
• The sense of purpose that comes from working for something bigger than the business itself.
• The opportunity to really make a difference to farmers’ livelihoods.
• And some of the best olive oil you’ve ever tasted, delivered monthly through your letterbox.

How to apply

Please email [email protected] with your CV and 300 words or less on why you think this is the role for you. Please make sure Production & NPD Manager is mentioned in the subject line.

Diversity & inclusion:

At Citizens of Soil, our vision is for a more fair, sustainable, and flavourful table. And that starts with our team. We’re cultivating a culture of inclusion because we know we need a diverse team to learn and grow. We embrace your unique contributions and will work to ensure you feel a sense of belonging.

We’re an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without regard to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, veteran status, neurodiversity status or disability status.

About Citizens of Soil:

Citizens of Soil is unearthing the world’s finest extra virgin olive oils, those crafted for flavour and nutrition. Led by Sarah Vachon, an olive oil sommelier, we champion a community of independent, regenerative growers who farm in harmony with nature, sourcing exceptional oils for our Club—monthly EVOO through the letterbox—and our bottled range. We’re turning a commodity into a community, proving that transparency, sustainability, and quality are the real markers of luxury. A show-stopping modern Mediterranean …