Product Development Manager- Private Brands

Position Summary

The Manager, Sourcing and Product Development – Private Brands is responsible for executing sourcing strategies and product development initiatives that support private brand growth within the convenience retail channel
, across packaged food, beverages, snacks, and general merchandise
. This role works closely with the Private Brand Product Management team to bring product concepts to life, ensuring alignment on product vision, cost targets, specifications, and timelines. The Manager plays a key role in optimizing the private brand supply chain and in building and following structured, scalable processes that enable speed-to-market, quality, and operational efficiency.

• Partner closely with the Private Brand Product Management team to execute product development plans aligned to brand and assortment strategies.
• Manage day-to-day product development activities from concept approval through commercialization.
• Translate product briefs into detailed specifications, packaging requirements, and supplier briefs.
• Provide input on feasibility, supplier capabilities, cost implications, and supply chain considerations.
• Support SKU lifecycle activities including reformulations, line extensions, and item transitions.

• Execute sourcing strategies across domestic and international suppliers for assigned categories.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers in alignment with quality, cost, and capacity requirements.
• Lead supplier communications related to product development, costing, timelines, and performance.
• Support supplier negotiations and cost-reduction initiatives in partnership with leadership.
• Maintain supplier documentation, specifications, and contracts.

• Support end-to-end supply chain optimization efforts for private brand products.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, and Inventory Planning teams to:
  • Improve lead times and on-time delivery
  • Optimize MOQ, production runs, and inventory levels
  • Reduce total landed cost where possible
  • Monitor supplier performance related to service levels, quality, and responsiveness.
  • Escalate supply risks and support mitigation plans such as alternate sourcing or item transitions.

• Execute and continuously improve sourcing and product development processes to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Follow standardized workflows for:
  • New item development and commercialization
  • Supplier qualification and onboarding
  • Costing, specification management, and change control
  • Help document processes, tools, and best practices.
  • Track progress against timelines, milestones, and readiness requirements.
  • Use data and reporting to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners including Product Management, Merchandising, QA, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and Operations.
• Provide guidance and day-to-day support to junior team members or analysts, as applicable.
• Contribute to a solutions-oriented, accountable team culture.
• Participate in training, onboarding, and capability-building initiatives.

• Ensure all assigned products meet FDA, USDA, FSMA, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with QA and Regulatory teams to manage product specifications, audits, labeling, allergens, and claims.
• Support issue resolution related to quality, compliance, and supplier corrective actions.
• Uphold private brand quality and food safety standards.

• Support product-level costing, margin targets, and business case development.
• Track costs, savings initiatives, and…