Manager, Product Development

Golden State Foods - Conyers, GA

Full-time - Manager

Conyers, GA

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Manager of Product Development plays a crucial role in overseeing the new product development process and packaging initiatives to align with GSF's objectives and customer needs. This position is responsible for managing various product development initiatives aimed at achieving growth and expansion within targeted markets and product categories. The manager will lead a team, ensuring that all organizational goals related to diversity, career development, productivity, performance management, and employee involvement are met. This role requires a strong focus on continuous improvement, integrating development objectives to enhance product and technology offerings while maintaining effective communication with both internal and external customers. In addition to managing the product development process, the manager will assist in defining new product requirements and expectations that reflect GSF's sales strategies and customer initiatives. This includes overseeing the entire new product development lifecycle, from idea conception and ingredient selection to process implementation and packaging design, ensuring compliance with GSF and customer standards. The manager will also be responsible for evaluating team performance, providing training and development opportunities, and fostering a motivated and effective team environment. The position demands a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to analyze complex issues related to product development. The manager must communicate effectively with various stakeholders, ensuring that all aspects of product development align with the company's values and objectives. This role is essential for maintaining high levels of quality and customer service while adhering to safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manages new product development initiatives to meet growth and expansion objectives within the target market and product categories.
• Manages assigned staff, including recruiting and selecting employees, assigning work, providing training and development, evaluating performance, and building a motivated, effective team.
• Integrates and leverages development objectives for continuous product and technology improvements, communicating routinely with internal and external customers.
• Assists with new product requirements, expectations, and opportunities that reflect GSF sales and customer initiatives.
• Manages the new product development process, including idea conception, ingredients, process implementation, and packaging to meet GSF and customer product development standards.
• Performs other related and assigned duties as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in food science or food service management from an accredited college or university.
• 7 or more years of relevant work experience with formulated products.
• Expert knowledge of food formulation, food design, and regulatory agencies.
• Journey-level knowledge of GMP, safety concepts and techniques, food processing concepts and techniques, and sensory processes.
• Basic knowledge of package design and handling, and proficiency in PC word processing/spreadsheet software.
• Ability to manage and motivate employees in a team-based environment.
• Strong analytical skills to resolve complex problems and interpret development issues.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with employees and customers both verbally and in writing.
• High degree of accuracy in reading and processing written information.
• Ability to work effectively in a general business environment with a focus on quality and customer service.