Senior Product Development Specialist
At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are seeking a dynamic Senior Product Development Specialist to manage all aspects of product development including : design development, presentations, P&L and production execution for various lines. Act as customer liaison for issues including PO's, shipment delays, item sheets, etc. This role is dedicated to multiple product lines and provides significant communication with various regional, corporate and international customers as well as vendor personnel. Take this opportunity to join North America's leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!
What we offer :
- 401(k) with company match
- Training and Career Development
- Generous Paid Time-Off
Responsibilities :
Work with suppliers to develop new product offerings based off of market research and analysis of the market place and trade shows trends for emerging products.Manage the in-house art designs for packaging; Source packaging materials (boxes, displays, ribbons, etc.) and coordinate co-packing needs as required.Create sales presentations with pertinent information including the item specifications, pictures and key selling features.Create Item Sheets, Vendor Commitment Forms, Promotional Request Forms (Costco US, Canada, Mexico, International and BJ's).Provide necessary documentation in order to get government approval to import chocolate items. Necessary documents may include : Sugar Letters, Proof of Country of Origin, Breakdown of Ingredients, Production Flow Chart.Assist VP as needed on various projects.Qualifications :
Associate's Degree in Marketing or equivalent experience required; Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience preferred.5+ years of experience in Food Marketing and Product Development.Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills.Knowledge of product lifecycle and policy and procedure development techniques.Ability to ensure a high level of service and quality is maintained.The Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.
Position Summary :
The Senior Product Development Specialist manages all aspects of product development including : design development, presentations, P&L and production execution for various lines. Act as customer liaison for issues including PO's, shipment delays, item sheets, etc. This role is dedicated to multiple product lines and provides significant communication with various regional, corporate and international customers as well as vendor personnel.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities :
Product Development :Work with suppliers to develop new product offerings based off of market research and analysis of the market place and trade shows trends for emerging products.Responsible for negotiating costs with suppliers.Create packaging and palletization schematics.Manage the in-house art designs for packaging.Work with compliance to ensure nutritional labeling / ingredients are accurate and compliant with applicable regulations.Factor in currency movement / conditions into the product development process and be prepared to react accordingly.Source packaging materials (boxes, displays, ribbons, etc.) and coordinate co-packing needs as required.Must work closely with Logistics to guarantee customer timelines are met.Manage P&Ls, ensuring that all costs in respective P&Ls are aligned and finalized.Create sales presentations with pertinent information including the item specifications, pictures and key selling features.Educate sales team on the details and nuances of the programs and fully equip the salesperson with all data needed to close the sale.Customer Liaison :Create Item Sheets, Vendor Commitment Forms, Promotional Request Forms (Costco US, Canada, Mexico, International and BJ's).Provide samples and sales presentations to customers for review and consideration.Daily interaction with customer regarding PO's, appointments, deliveries, demo schedules and product interest.International Compliance :Label translations.Packaging and ingredient / nutritional regulations.Certification / Constancia.Other :Assist VP as needed on various projects.Create IRI syndicated data charts.Conduct bi-yearly channel specific product surveys.Supervisory Responsibilities :
Direct Reports : This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports.Indirect Reports : Does not have direct reports, but may delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports.Travel and / or Driving Requirements :
Travel is not an essential duty and function of this job.Driving is an essential duty or function of this job.Minimum Qualifications :
The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job :Education Level : (Required) Associate's Degree or equivalent experience.(Preferred) Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.Field of Study / Area of Experience : Marketing - 5+ years of experience in Food Marketing and Product Development.Skills, Knowledge and Abilities :
Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills.Good interpersonal skills.Strong prioritization skills.Decision making and problem solving skills.Analytical and research Skills.Knowledge of product lifecycle and policy and procedure development techniques.Ability to exercise sound judgment.Ability to make oral presentations.Ability to ensure a high level of service and quality is maintained.Ability to work effectively with management.Ability to research and analyze data effectively.Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment.Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or business environment.Ability to work independently and prioritize duties with minimal supervision, in order to meet deadlines.Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadline.Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browser.Environmental & Physical Requirements :
Office / Sedentary Requirements :Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment.Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions :
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one's supervisor or other manager related to the position / department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Important Information :