PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, Raw Protein

$110,000 - $110,000/Yr

Futures Consulting - Fort Worth, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Fort Worth, TX

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Product Development Manager for Raw Protein will play a pivotal role in leading the development and commercialization of innovative raw protein products, including marinated meats, patties, sausages, and other cut and pack raw proteins. This position is situated within a dynamic and fast-paced environment that fosters creative energy and novel product designs, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and technical knowledge enhancement. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing the entire product development process, from concept to commercialization, ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. In this role, the manager will collaborate closely with the Culinary team to develop concepts and prototypes for new products, utilizing creative solutions to ensure that the commercialization process aligns with production and packaging capabilities. The manager will also identify suitable partners, equipment, and processes necessary for the successful delivery of commercialized versions of prototypes. Leading plant trials, sensory testing, shelf life verification, and claim validation will be essential components of the job, as will the ability to lead meetings with cross-functional teams, including program development, brainstorming sessions, and project status updates. Additionally, the Product Development Manager will be responsible for preparing comprehensive process documentation to facilitate smooth commercialization and training of plant personnel. This includes ensuring compliance with internal and external audit requirements, regulatory compliance, label reviews, BOM specifications, raw ingredient specifications, product specifications, and shelf life assessments. The role requires a strong technical background in food science and a proven track record of successful product design and launches in the raw protein category.

Responsibilities

• Lead raw protein product development and commercialization.
• Develop concepts and prototypes for new products with the assistance of the Culinary team.
• Use creative solutions to develop novel prototypes, keeping commercialization and process and packaging capabilities in mind.
• Identify partners, equipment, and processes that will successfully deliver commercialized versions of prototypes.
• Lead plant trials, sensory testing, shelf life verification, and claim validation for new product development and continuous improvement projects.
• Lead meetings with cross-functional teams, including program development, brainstorming sessions, timelines, and project status updates.
• Prepare comprehensive process documentation to enable smooth commercialization and training of plant personnel, ensuring compliance with internal and external audit requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in meat science, food science, biology, chemistry, agricultural science, or a related life science field; a Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food product or process development, specifically in raw protein categories.
• Knowledge of the Culinary Arts.
• Technical excellence in a food science-related field.
• Demonstrated track record of successful product design and launches in raw protein product categories.
• Competent in leading benchtop development and manufacturing trials.
• Ability to bring out the best in fellow team members and display leadership qualities.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Fluent in English; Spanish is preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in handling allergenic and sensitive materials such as soy, wheat, gluten, dairies, seafood, nuts, sulfites, etc.
• Ability to draft memos and correspondence effectively and present information in one-on-one and small group situations.