Food and Beverage Project Lead at Prestigious Consulting Group

Works Closely With: Business Development Lead, Operations Team, Regulatory / QA Teams, Clients

Role Purpose

• The Food & Beverage Project Leadis responsible for leading and delivering end-to-end food product and manufacturing projects across the company’s consulting portfolio.
• This is a project execution and client-facing role, not just a technical function.
• The role holder will manage multiple client engagements simultaneouslyensuring that food products move from concept to market successfully, while also driving commercial outcomes, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• The ideal candidate combines strong project management capability with practical food industry experience, and understands how to translate technical  work into timelines, deliverables, and measurable business results.

Key Responsibilities
Project Planning & Execution:

• Lead and manage end-to-end food & beverage projects — from concept, development, and validation to production and market launch.
• Develop clear project plans, timelines, budgets, and deliverables for each client engagement.
• Track project milestones, manage risks, and ensure delivery within agreed timelines.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution.

Product Development Oversight:

• Oversee new product development (NPD) processes — ensuring concepts are viable, scalable, and market-ready.
• Work with technical teams to guide formulation, testing, and product refinement.
• Ensure products meet quality, safety, and commercial standards.
• Support cost optimization and product improvement initiatives.

Regulatory & Compliance Coordination:

• Ensure all projects align with NAFDAC, SON, and food safety standards (HACCP, GMP).
• Coordinate regulatory submissions, documentation, and approvals.
• Identify and mitigate compliance risks early in the project lifecycle.

Manufacturing & Process Execution:

• Support clients in scaling products from pilot to full production.
• Work with operations teams to improve production efficiency, yield, and quality.
• Conduct site visits and provide process improvement recommendations.
• Ensure SOPs and production systems are properly implemented.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned client projects.
• Manage client expectations, communication, and deliverables.
• Lead project meetings, provide updates, and ensure alignment at all stages.
• Translate technical outputs into clear business value for clients.

Commercial & Business Support:

• Support proposal development, costing, and project scoping.
• Identify opportunities for repeat business and upsell services.
• Ensure each project contributes to revenue generation and client retention.

Reporting & Performance Management:

• Provide weekly project updates to management.
• Submit monthly reports covering project status, risks, and outcomes.
• Track key performance metrics: timelines, delivery quality, and client satisfaction.

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Experience:

• 4–7 years of experience in food manufacturing, product development, or project management.
• Proven experience managing projects from concept to launch.
• Experience working in FMCG, manufacturing, or consulting environments is an advantage.

What are we Looking For:

• Someone who can own projects end-to-end, not just contribute.
• A professional who understands that speed, structure, and results matter.
• A candidate who can operate in a fast-paced, multi-client environment.
• A balance of technical understanding and commercial awareness leading to business revenue generation.

Industry Knowledge:
Working knowledge of:

• NAFDAC regulations and product registration.
• Food safety systems (HACCP, GMP).
• Food production and manufacturing processes.

Core Competencies:

• Technical & Functional.
• Project management and execution.
• Food product lifecycle understanding.
• Regulatory coordination.
• Process and operations understanding.
• Data analysis and reporting.
• Behavioural & Leadership.
• Strong execution and delivery focus.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• High level of accountability and ownership.