Director of Product Development

Job Title: Product Development Director

Department: Product Marketing, Strategy & Innovation

Position

Reports to:

Project Management & Communications Director, Interim Director of Marketing

Employment: W2, Full-Time, Salary, Exempt

Location: Hybrid (St. Augustine, FL Distribution Center; 3 days per week. Remote; 2 days per week). Distribution Center will be relocating to Palm Coast, FL. Non-local residents must be willing to travel to be considered.

The Director of Product Development plays a pivotal part in shaping the future of ensuring every product we create is inspired, distinctive, and operationally executable from development through delivery.

It is our mission to create and share the experience of a more flavorful life. Do you have the passion to help us create that experience? Are you interested in being the driving force behind product vision, leading the full lifecycle of our portfolio across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories.

This role champions innovation from concept to shelf, overseeing product strategy, sourcing, quality, cost and commercialization with a relentless focus on brand integrity and market relevance.

As a cross-functional leader, the Director will guide a talented team of Product Category Managers, Project Coordinators, and Analysts while collaborating closely with Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Marketing, Operations, and Franchise stakeholders. Together, this team will bring new ideas to life that delight guests, strengthen our franchise network, and drive sustainable category growth and overall shelf management.

Strategize, Innovate, Research, Analyze, Lead, Collaborate and strive for the highest level of Quality. Does this sound like you? If so, the job may be right up your alley!

• Develop and execute product roadmaps across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories.
• Identify market trends, consumer insights, and franchise needs to drive new product concepts.
• Lead ideation and cross-functional collaboration to bring new SKUs and seasonal programs to market.
• Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify new trends, consumer preferences, and gaps in the market.

• Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify new trends, consumer preferences, and gaps in the market.
• Leverage customer and franchisee feedback to inform the product roadmap and drive data-driven decisions.
• Partner with franchise owners to pilot new products, collect field insights, and integrate real-time operational feedback to improve product performance and guest experience across diverse markets.
• Analyze product performance data post-launch to inform future development cycles and measure success against KPIs.

• Manage and mentor a team of Product Category Managers, Coordinators and/or Specialists.
• Ensure each category has clear strategy, timelines, and performance goals.
• Oversee product lifecycle, from concept to launch to retirement.
• Own category dashboards and lifecycle analytics, leveraging POS, e-commerce, and supply chain data to optimize SKU mix, forecast demand, and identify discontinuation or re-formulation opportunities.

• Partner closely with:
• Senior Director of Corporate Development to ensure product procurement is aligned with the brand vision and sustained growth plan.
• Supply Chain for sourcing, costing, and supplier relationships.
• Champion sustainable sourcing, packaging innovation, and supplier transparency initiatives that align with brand promise and environmental responsibility goals.
• Marketing to align branding, packaging, positioning, naming, and launch campaigns.
• Franchise Operations for owner input and sell-in support.
• QA & Regulatory to ensure ingredient accuracy, certifications, and compliance.

• Oversee timelines, costing, and margin targets for every product initiative.
• Drive SKU launches for retail, wholesale, ecommerce, and seasonal programs.
• Align product pipeline with production, distribution, and operational capacity.

• Ensure products meet brand expectations for flavor, consistency, packaging, and guest experience.
• Collaborate with QA on labeling, certifications (organic, kosher, etc.), and ingredient integrity.

• Set goals, track KPIs, and report progress to the Senior Director of Corporate Development.
• Oversee project timelines, P&Ls, and profitability targets by category.

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Food Science, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of product development, category management, or CPG experience (preferably in food, beverage, or specialty consumables) with a minimum of 4 years in a…