Product Development Manager

5-6+ years of progressive food product development and formulation experience within the food manufacturing industry.

1-2+ years of leadership experience managing, mentoring, and developing Food Scientists, R&D professionals, or technical product development teams.

Proven expertise in the development and commercialization of meat products, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, shelf-stable foods, and/or military ration products.

Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, thermal processing, preservation methods, shelf-life extension, and sensory evaluation.

Hands-on experience leading product development from concept through pilot production, scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch support.

Demonstrated success managing multiple development projects simultaneously while meeting timelines, quality standards, and budget objectives.

Working knowledge of USDA, FDA, FSMA, HACCP, GMP, and food safety regulations within a manufacturing environment.

Experience conducting plant trials, process validations, and troubleshooting formulation and production-related issues.

Strong understanding of nutritional labeling, product specifications, ingredient statements, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Ability to collaborate effectively with Operations, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing teams.

Excellent leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency with formulation management systems, product lifecycle management (PLM) tools, and Microsoft Office application