Product Development And Commercialization Manager

This position is responsible for taking new, improved, and optimized products from concept through successful commercialization by utilizing skills in formulation, company quality systems and procedures, product and consumer testing and translation from bench to large scale production. Conduct product validation and specification development for new and existing products.

Serving as the pivot point and cross functional leader, the Senior Product Development Manager is expected to manage and drive their team's work across the functional matrix both within the product development & marketing team and across sales, supply chain and other departments to achieve objectives and business improvement. The Product Development Manager is the voice of the consumer and the customer within the Darigold organization.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities and Influence:

• Leads technical components of a project by coordinating activities of a cross functional team.

• Works with purchasing and external ingredient vendors to select raw materials for a given product.

• Presents iterative prototypes/concepts to business team members, makes technical recommendations to meet project objectives.

• Develops specifications and testing protocol for new products based on critical consumer and customer attributes.

• Identifies and presents new and innovative technical solutions and product ideas to broader organization.

• Supports cost savings initiatives through ingredient, product and process optimization.

• Provides technical support to Marketing and Sales as required.

• Provides troubleshooting support at the plant level as need arises.

Essential Functions, Skills and Attributes:

Leadership

• Creates environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration, both internally and externally.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, viewing problem as a whole and working with others as needed to resolve it.

• Willingness to challenge the status quo and ignite change by actively sharing ideas and technologies.

• Excellent project and time management skills. Self-directed with minimal supervision.

Communication

• Strong written, oral and facilitation skills.

• Ability to evaluate and communicate project status issues or risk appropriately.

• Conveys technical information in understandable terms to all levels of the organization.

• Strong ability to create and deliver presentations.

Technical Capability

• Development experience in multiple product categories.

• Strong background in ingredient application. Understanding of flavoring systems, hydrocolloids, antimicrobial systems, colors, probiotics, cultures, fermentation, enzymes, sweeteners, vitamins, proteins, and fats is desirable.

• Experience in product scale up and comfort in a manufacturing environment is critical.

• Thorough understanding of pasteurization and aseptic processing

• Systems thinker; understands the linkage of activities during commercialization and principles of design for manufacturing.

• Manages and oversees some technical functions (e.g. Sensory program, shelf-life testing, label legal claims, product specifications, product/packaging improvements, nutritional labeling).

• Understanding of consumer and market research. Ability to apply insights throughout the development process.

• Manage up to 2 direct reports, typically product development coordinators or associate product development managers.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, MS Project, and other computer applications to access information, analyze data and solve problems.

Personal and Social Competence

• High integrity and honesty, promoting trust in all actions.

• Effective working relationships with internal/external counterparts: Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain, Vendors.

• Enjoys working in results oriented, customer focused, team environment.

• Ability to turn around projects at a fast pace.

• Flexible with ability to handle changing timelines and priorities.

• Creative and change-oriented, willing to constructively challenge status quo.

• Physical - standing, bending, and lifting of product (up to 50 lbs.)

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of time.

What You Bring:

• B.S. Food Science or related field required.
• 5 - 10 year's progressive product development experience. 3+ year's work in Consumer Products environment required.

Nice to Have's

• M.S. in Food Science or related field preferred.

• Demonstrated success in competitive and high criteria professional and/or academic environments.

• Previous knowledge of Stage-Gate commercialization process is preferred.

Benefits of Working at Darigold

We understand that as an employee, benefits that support you and your family in and out of work are important. We're proud to offer eligible positions a competitive total rewards package - that includes:

• Employer 401K contribution of up to 9%

• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits

• Employer paid life & disability coverage.

• Paid time off and paid holidays

• 8 weeks paid parental leave.

• Education assistance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible working arrangement where applies (up to 2 days/week after initial 90 days and approval by hiring manager and HR)

• Community giving through matching donations.

• Compensation range: $91,161.00-$136,743.00 (individual wage based on previous experience, knowledge, and skills)

• Relocation Assistance

Our Commitment to Diversity

Achieving our vision to Lead Dairy Forward requires cultivating and supporting a team with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to providing a workplace based on mutual respect where all employees feel included and can bring their best and authentic selves to work every day. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, religion, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. As a condition of employment applicants offered a role will be required to su