The Manager, Product Development is an individual contributor responsible for providing advanced product development expertise and thought leadership. This role collaborates cross-functionally to identify, develop, and execute food product and menu strategies that support overall brand objectives, quality standards, and brand integrity. The Manager maintains a strong understanding of current product performance, consumer insights, and industry trends, and uses this knowledge to make informed recommendations for current and future product innovations. This role also plays a key role in supporting and driving project execution in close partnership with the R&D development team, ensuring initiatives are delivered effectively and aligned with business priorities.
Essential Functions
- Product Development and Commercialization
- Manages day-to-day test kitchen operations to support efficient, disciplined product development, testing, and refinement activities.
- Defines detailed product specifications and collaborates with manufacturing partners capable of meeting quality, performance, and cost objectives.
- Manages new product initial production setup, production runs, and quality validation to ensure consistency, scalability, and launch readiness.
- Coordinates product review meetings with senior management and key stakeholders to support timely decision-making and approvals.
- Validates product standards in the field by assessing adherence to brand SOPs and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Provides regular, clear progress updates on product development status, risks, and timelines to project managers and channel leadership.
- Product Ideation
- Supports the development of the brand’s overall food positioning through contribution to product strategy and execution.
- Responsible for the development and execution of assigned brand programs under the guidance of senior leadership.
- Leads day-to-day problem solving for existing and future products and ingredients, including the continuous improvement of commercialized items.
- Evaluates brand menus to identify opportunities for non-core product development and innovation.
- Makes informed recommendations based on BME audit results, ensuring products are measured against and aligned with established specifications.
- Conducts ongoing product research and maintains memberships in relevant professional and industry organizations to gather competitive intelligence and stay current on foodservice and retail trends.
Job Summary
The Manager, Product Development is an individual contributor responsible for providing advanced product development expertise and thought leadership. This role collaborates cross-functionally to identify, develop, and execute food product and menu strategies that support overall brand objectives, quality standards, and brand integrity. The Manager maintains a strong understanding of current product performance, consumer insights, and industry trends, and uses this knowledge to make informed recommendations for current and future product innovations. This role also plays a key role in supporting and driving project execution in close partnership with the R&D development team, ensuring initiatives are delivered effectively and aligned with business priorities.
Workplace Type
Remote
Education
- Bachelor's Degree, B.S. or B.A. Culinary, Pastry, Food Science or related degree , Pref
Work Experience
- 5+ years of experience in developing of new culinary products, experience in the consumer packaged goods field , Pref
- Experience working with outside suppliers and the application of external technologies in food ingredients and packaging. , Pref
- Experience with establishing raw material specifications for vendors and contract manufacturers. , Pref
Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of shelf stability, retail food operations, food plant operation, food quality and laboratory testing for of various food products
- Able to create specification sheets for developed products and to hold manufacturers accountable to specifications
- Innovative problem solver with the ability to influence and create "win-win" partnerships.
- Planning, organization and follow up skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with sensitive deadlines and changing environment.
- Ability to quickly build trust and effective working relationships across various stakeholder groups (i.e, Corporate, Field and Franchisees).
- Communication skills that create positive impact and engagement (written, verbal and presentations).
- Innovative decision making with strong business and financial acumen.
- Proficiency in Microsoft computer skills (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
- Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
Travel Requirements
- May be required to travel up to 25% of the time
Bachelor's degree in culinary, pastry, food science or related field preferred; 5+ years new culinary product development experience preferred; experience with suppliers and raw material specifications; Microsoft Office proficiency; up to 30% travel.
Key Responsibilities
- managing test kitchen operations
- defining product specifications
- coordinating product reviews
Skills & Tools
Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel
Job Details
- Category: Product Management
- Seniority: Senior Level
- Commitment: Full Time
- Workplace: Remote — United States
- Languages: English
About GoTo Foods
A food company developing and executing product and menu strategies for its brands. — Industry: Retail and Wholesale