Senior Product Development Specialist

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.

At Nestle USA, we're all working towards the same goal - to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity - and responsibility - to be there for every moment in our consumers' lives.

Technical lead on highly complex projects to identify solutions, deliver innovation and renovation portfolio, and optimization/improvement projects. Partner with Marketing to leverage and translate consumer insight into project pipelines. Represent Technical Application Group as subject matter expert for product/packaging/process to transfer knowledge to the factories. Train and coach to contribute to the success of the Technical Application Group. Collaborate internally and externally to build relationships in order to continuously improve technical skills and personal development, including coaching others to facilitate their professional development.

Implementation of Innovation & Renovation strategy for the supported product categories in the market. Liaise & leverage industry and global Nestle Network (e.g. R&D & Procurement) insights to develop, implement, and execute creative product development activities (e.g. mockup, bench top, pilot plant, distribution testing, and internal/external factory testing) to achieve project goals and deadlines to delight the consumer & customer.

Introduction of new products and processes within factories and external manufacturers. Collaborate and influence internal and external project teams (Teams are made up of PTC, Product Developers, Project Managers, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering, Packaging, Factories, Marketing, Co-Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain, etc.) to develop, industrialize, and launch on a complex range of Innovation and Renovation projects.

Continuously improve/optimize current product development within factories and external manufacturers according to local business needs and supply situation and/or implementation of initiatives. Lead technical projects including technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings. This includes establishing and managing timelines, uncovering roadblocks, defining critical paths, and identifying resource constraints.

Ensure adherence to all product/packaging/process standards. Comply with Nestle requirements (includes Nutritional requirements, Sustainability, Packaging Safety), external standards, and local regulatory framework. Identify, influence, and lead the development of market level product/packaging/process standards within the Nestle systems.

Continuous improvement of technical skills and personal development, while being a proactive affiliate member of a Nestle Expert Network and/or external networks. Provide coaching & mentorship to others to facilitate personal professional development.

Develop expertise for product/packaging/process mastership within TAG Define, develop, and coach the competencies and training materials required for product/packaging/process mastership to enable manufacturing excellence. Provide guidance and input to Operations for Standard Operating Procedures.

Provide first line support to factories.

Provide knowledge transfer related to product/packaging/process mastership to eliminate the root cause of assistance requests

Act as the coaching and training resource for product mastership

• A BS or MS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field.
• Position requires approximately 50% travel.

Prefer a minimum of 5 years of product development experience in food manufacturing.

• Ability to work in a fast paced and high performing environment
• Exceptional organizational skills & ability to manage multiple projects and assignments
• Strong communication skills: interpersonal, presentation, oral and written
• Highly motivated, critical thinker, goal oriented and easily adapts to change
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  Microsoft Office applications:
  Excel, Power Point, Word, Project
• Preferred: SAP & CAPE Palletization Program

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestle. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities.

Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestle home.

The Nestle Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment…