Manager, Product Development - Deli & Frozen Meat

Position Summary

The Manager, Product Development – Deli & Frozen Meat leads cross‑functional teams to deliver innovative Member’s Mark products across deli, prepared foods, and frozen meat categories. This role drives end‑to‑end product development, from concept through commercialization, ensuring quality, food safety, compliance, and alignment with member needs and business goals. Leveraging a food science background and expertise in meat processing, prepared foods, and frozen product development, the manager partners with internal teams and suppliers to create differentiated, high‑quality products.

Responsibilities include lifecycle management, problem‑solving, and utilizing consumer and market insights to drive product strategy and innovation.

The Fresh Food Product Development team is dedicated to delivering high‑quality, innovative Member’s Mark products that enhance the member experience. The team specializes in creating differentiated offerings across deli, prepared foods, bakery, fresh proteins, and frozen meat categories by combining culinary expertise, food science, and consumer insights. Collaborating cross‑functionally with sourcing, quality, operations, and suppliers, the team brings trend‑forward ideas to market efficiently.

Their commitment to quality, innovation, and execution drives growth and strengthens Sam’s Club’s fresh food assortment through distinctive private brand products.

• Lead product development initiatives by coordinating cross‑functional teams and managing communications to ensure alignment and timely delivery.
• Work directly with supplier partners to develop proprietary private brand deli, prepared food, and frozen meat products for our members.
• Develop and manage product specifications throughout the product lifecycle, conducting benchmarking, sensory evaluations, and quality reviews to meet member expectations.
• Analyze consumer trends, category insights, and market data to inform product strategies and identify innovation opportunities.
• Drive execution of business plans by identifying operational needs, removing obstacles, and monitoring performance metrics.
• Ensure products meet food safety, regulatory, quality, and labeling requirements.

• Proven expertise in product lifecycle management to oversee development from concept to launch.
• Strong skills in cross‑functional project management, coordinating teams across departments effectively.
• Ability to develop and execute product strategies aligned with business goals.
• Excellent communication skills to facilitate collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficient in root cause analysis to identify and resolve product issues efficiently.
• Experience in research and development to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

• Experience in product development within deli, prepared foods, frozen foods, meat processing, or related food manufacturing categories.
• Strong knowledge of food science, ingredient functionality, meat processing, food safety, and commercialization processes.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage complex projects from concept through launch.
• Expertise in product strategy, benchmarking, sensory evaluation, and trend analysis.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with internal stakeholders and external supplier partners.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, quality, and continuous improvement.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Design, or related field and 2 years’ experience in design, merchandising, marketing, or related area OR 4 years’ experience in design, merchandising, marketing, or related area.

Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company‑paid life insurance.
Paid time off benefits include PTO, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other…