Product Development Specialist - GCK; TAG Job Solon area,Ohio USA,Engineering

Position: Product Development Specialist - GCK (TAG)

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow. At Nestlé USA, we’re working toward the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee Mate, Nestlé is present in 97% of U.S. households and has a unique opportunity and responsibility to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. You are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk‑taking, and pioneer new ideas. A supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning, so everyone can grow and thrive.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Position Summary: This role supports Global Culinary Kitchen (GCK) and focuses on Maggi Ambient Meals (noodles, rice, seasonings), Milks (evaporated, condensed, sweetened), Pumpkin (canned, bread kit). The role is hybrid and requires onsite presence in Solon, OH, or Arlington, VA, Tuesday through Thursday.

As a member of the Technical Applications Group (TAG), you will work across multiple product brands in the world’s largest food company. You will lead recipe creation, re‑formulation, rapid prototyping, and manage vendor relationships to drive Innovation & Renovation (I&R) business objectives. You will collaborate with manufacturing facilities and contribute consumer insights while representing TAG in cross‑functional settings.

Primary Responsibilities

Implementation of Innovation & Renovation strategy for supported product categories: develop, pilot and execute product/process development activities (bench top, pilot plant, internal/external factory) to achieve project goals and deadlines.

Serve as Technical Lead: apply leadership, coaching, and influencing skills to steer projects, deliver on time, at or below COGS targets, and delight the consumer.

Formulate products within our capabilities and ensure they match consumer testing outcomes; conduct robust complaint reduction and risk mitigation activities.

Maintain proper controls to meet gold‑standard specifications; act as key contact with factories for technical solution implementation.

Introduce new products and processes within factories; collaborate with internal and external project teams (R&D, quality, regulatory, engineering, packaging, marketing, purchasing, supply chain, etc.) to industrialize and launch projects.

Provide technical guidance and support to factory and R&D/engineering resources during new technology and process development.

Continuously improve current products and processes: lead technical projects including sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings; establish timelines, uncover roadblocks, and define critical paths.

Ensure adherence to all standards, including Nestlé 60/40+ and local regulatory frameworks; act as Quality Lead for applicable projects (HACCP, food safety, allergen/claims validation, process capability).

Guide continuous technical skill development, contribute to Nestlé Expert Network, and act as ambassador for TAG globally.

Develop and maintain product and process mastership within TAG; create training materials and build capability in factories and TAG.

Provide first‑line support to factories, especially in ingredient, recipe, and processing areas, to ensure consistent high‑quality production.

Requirements and

Minimum Education Level

A BS or MS degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
Approximately 25% travel required.

Experience

Minimum 3 years of product or process development experience in CPG or related field.

Required Skills

Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑performing environment with autonomy.
Organizational and project management skills capable of handling multiple concurrent assignments.
Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral, and written communication; strong networking and stakeholder management.
Highly motivated, critical thinker, goal‑oriented, adaptable to change, and able to manage…