Talent.com
Senior Director, Product Development

Senior Director, Product Development

Kinder'sWalnut Creek, CA, US
29 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT US AT KINDER'S :

What's it like to work at Kinder's? Well, there's a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. But beyond that, there's also plenty of hard work. Because we don't just like flavor, we're obsessed with it.

With over 100 products sold nationwide, we're now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. But we're not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.

As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need other smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you're looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work, this is it. Every day, you'll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.

How You Will Have an Impact at Kinder's : The Senior Director of Product Development at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in leading the team that drives our core product innovation and renovation projects. Reporting to the SVP of Product & Innovation, you will be responsible for the management and leadership of a team of product developers, focusing on bringing best-in-class products to market with industry-leading speed. In this multifaceted role, you will collaborate with internal teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and third-party partners to execute key line extensions, including new flavors and packaging formats, and renovate existing products to improve cost, quality, and overall consumer value. You will be responsible for building and supporting a world-class team, with a flexible approach that can easily transition between coaching / mentorship and a hands-on style where necessary.

Key Responsibilities :

Product Development Management & Leadership :

  • Drive the end-to-end development of key line extensions, from concept to commercialization, including new flavors and new packaging formats.
  • Support the commercial scale-up of new products, ensuring a seamless transition from development to launch.
  • Partner with key internal stakeholders (Brand Management, Sales, Innovation, Project Management) to identify development priorities and translate them into an aggressive, cohesive and attainable project plan.
  • Ensure market-leading speed to market and volume of innovation, while delivering against the high quality standards of the brand.
  • Build a culture of strong product design excellence including application of design-for-manufacturability and design-for-margin principles.

Product Platform Maintenance & Optimization :

  • Partner with R&D leadership to transition new product platforms from the R&D phase to long-term product development.
  • Implement learnings from key R&D projects (e.g. clean-label evolutions, quality / technical upgrades)
  • Partner with Brand Management, Finance, and Project Management teams to identify and prioritize key opportunities to drive improved product margins while sustaining or increasing product quality.
  • Lead the team in the renovation of key existing products to improve cost, quality, and overall consumer value.
  • Partner with cross-functional SWAT teams to drive key renovation / optimization projects based on quality standards, financial goals and aggressive attainment timelines.
  • Process Leadership & Documentations :

  • Lead the review and maintenance of all product documentation, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for key internal and external partners.
  • Effectively communicate product specifications and critical information to commercialization partners, including creative / packaging design teams, the quality department, and key external partners (including co-packers).
  • Drive a project hindsight process to capture key insights and incorporate them into future project team briefing and project prioritization.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Team Leadership :

  • Lead and mentor a team of product developers, guiding key projects supporting the core product platforms of the business.
  • Partner closely with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Finance) to drive project alignment and ensure successful delivery of key programs.
  • Facilitate project team meetings, create and present status reports, and provide clear communication on project risks and opportunities to departmental and senior leadership.
  • Act as a champion for the Product Development process, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • What You Bring to the Table

    Education / Experience

  • 12-15+ years of experience in product development, innovation management, or a similar field. CPG experience, including at least some advanced experience in food development required.
  • Proven experience leading the development and commercial scale-up of key line extensions and product renovations.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams including both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Consumer-obsessed innovator with a passion for turning consumer needs into high value product solutions.
  • Proficiency in developing and implementing product development and commercialization strategies.
  • Data-driven mindset, with the ability to analyze efficiently and make data-backed decisions quickly.
  • Proven people-centric leader with an emphasis on driving performance through culture and mentorship.
  • Bachelor's degree. Technical degree (e.g. food science, chemistry / engineering, etc.), while not required, is a significant plus.
  • Personal Characteristics

  • Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
  • Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
  • Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
  • Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
  • Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
  • Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
  • Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
  • Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say 'yes' as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.
  • Things About the Way We Work

  • No two days here are the same.
  • We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don't live by hierarchy and structure - everyone is a difference maker here.
  • We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information - our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
  • We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
  • We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
  • We aren't trying to be average - we want to do exceptional things and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
  • We have a collaborative work environment and work onsite in Walnut Creek, CA.
  • Create a job alert for this search

    Director Development • Walnut Creek, CA, US

    Related jobs
    • Promoted
    Director, Drug Product Development & Manufacturing

    Director, Drug Product Development & Manufacturing

    Remegen Biosciences, Inc.South San Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Director, Drug Product Development & Manufacturing.Drug Manufacturing & Supply Management.VP, Drug Manufacturing & Supply Management. South San Francisco, CA or Remote.RemeGen Bioscience...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Product Management Director

    Senior Product Management Director

    VirtualVocationsSan Francisco, California, United States
    Full-time
    Director of Product Management.Key Responsibilities Develop and communicate a compelling product vision and strategy Oversee the entire product lifecycle from ideation to launch and beyond Cond...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Product Manager

    Senior Product Manager

    CargomaticSan Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Join a rapidly growing company disrupting the trucking industry! Cargomatic is the #1 technology platform and digital marketplace for powering world-class, local trucking.Literally everything human...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Product Management

    Senior Director of Product Management

    UnisonSan Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Senior Director of Product Management.We are seeking a Senior Director of Product Management to lead the vision, strategy, and execution for Unison's product portfolio. This role will manage and gro...Show moreLast updated: 17 days ago
    • Promoted
    Product Development Lead

    Product Development Lead

    Mat3raWalnut Creek, CA, US
    Full-time +1
    We are building the real-world J.Calling out experienced product managers - people with strong technical backgrounds (STEM degree, experience in similar industries) seeking to design and build a co...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Product - Education

    Senior Director, Product - Education

    Common Sense Media, Inc.San Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    San Francisco - SAN FRANCISCO, CA.Senior Director, Product – Education.Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, educatio...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    • New!
    Senior Director, Product (Pre-Signature)

    Senior Director, Product (Pre-Signature)

    IroncladSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Senior Director, Product (Pre-Signature).Ironclad is the leading AI contracting platform that transforms agreements into assets. Contracts move faster, insights surface instantly, and agents push wo...Show moreLast updated: 3 hours ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Product - App Performance

    Senior Director of Product - App Performance

    Cloudflare, Inc.San Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    At Cloudflare, we are on a mission to help build a better Internet.Today the company runs one of the world's largest networks that powers millions of websites and other Internet properties for cust...Show moreLast updated: 4 days ago
    • Promoted
    Director of New Product Introduction (NPI)

    Director of New Product Introduction (NPI)

    Sila NanotechnologiesAlameda, CA, US
    Full-time
    We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company.Our mission is to power the world's transition to clean energy.To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Product, GoFundMe Pro San Francisco, CA

    Senior Director of Product, GoFundMe Pro San Francisco, CA

    GoFundMeSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Senior Director of Product, GoFundMe Pro.Want to help us help others? We’re hiring!.GoFundMe is the world’s most powerful community for good, dedicated to helping people help each other.By uniting ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Product Design

    Senior Director, Product Design

    EverlawOakland, CA, US
    Full-time
    Senior Director, Product Design.Everlaw is looking for a Head of Product Design to lead, mentor, and scale our Product Design team. This is a critical leadership position where you'll be responsible...Show moreLast updated: 27 days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Product, Core Product

    Senior Director, Product, Core Product

    StravaSan Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Senior Director, Product, Core Product.Strava is the app for active people.With over 150 million athletes in more than 185 countries, it's more than tracking workoutsit's where connection, motivati...Show moreLast updated: 15 days ago
    • Promoted
    Director, Product Development

    Director, Product Development

    Keurig Dr PepperSan Francisco, CA, United States
    Full-time
    The Product Development team’s purpose is to lead the innovation and productivity agendas to grow KDP brands, transform beyond its core, and improve the profitability of our products.At KDP, our in...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director of Product, GoFundMe ProSan Francisco, CA

    Senior Director of Product, GoFundMe ProSan Francisco, CA

    GoFundMeSan Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Senior Director of Product, GoFundMe Pro.GoFundMe is the world's most powerful community for good, dedicated to helping people help each other. By uniting individuals and nonprofits in one place, Go...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Product Management Team Lead (Late Phase & Commercialization) Foster City

    Senior Director, Product Management Team Lead (Late Phase & Commercialization) Foster City

    GileadSan Mateo, CA, US
    Full-time
    Senior Director, Product Management Team Lead (Late Phase & Commercialization).At Gilead, we're creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we've tackled diseases such as HIV,...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Formulation and Drug Product Development

    Senior Director, Formulation and Drug Product Development

    Marea TherapeuticsSouth San Francisco, CA, US
    Full-time
    Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Francisco with a growing pipeline of first-in-class therapies to address genetically validated cardioendocrine disease targ...Show moreLast updated: 12 days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Product Manager, AI-Powered Engagement - Contractor

    Senior Product Manager, AI-Powered Engagement - Contractor

    Five9San Ramon, CA, US
    Full-time
    Join us in bringing joy to customer experience.Five9 is a leading provider of cloud contact center software, bringing the power of cloud innovation to customers worldwide.Living our values everyday...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
    • Promoted
    Senior Director, Commercial Product Development

    Senior Director, Commercial Product Development

    AmerisourceBergen Corporation (Cencora)Millbrae, CA, United States
    Full-time
    Our team members are at the heart of everything we do.At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here is essential to us being able to deliver on ...Show moreLast updated: 3 days ago