Product Development Manager- Private Brands

Position Summary

The Manager, Sourcing and Product Development – Private Brands is responsible for executing sourcing strategies and product development initiatives that support private brand growth within the convenience retail channel, across packaged food, beverages, snacks, and general merchandise.

This role works closely with the Private Brand Product Management team to bring product concepts to life, ensuring alignment on product vision, cost targets, specifications, and timelines. The Manager plays a key role in optimizing the private brand supply chain and in building and following structured, scalable processes that enable speed-to-market, quality, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development Execution & Product Management Partnership

• Partner closely with the Private Brand Product Management team to execute product development plans aligned to brand and assortment strategies.
• Manage day-to-day product development activities from concept approval through commercialization.
• Translate product briefs into detailed specifications, packaging requirements, and supplier briefs.
• Provide input on feasibility, supplier capabilities, cost implications, and supply chain considerations.
• Support SKU lifecycle activities including reformulations, line extensions, and item transitions.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Execute sourcing strategies across domestic and international suppliers for assigned categories.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers in alignment with quality, cost, and capacity requirements.
• Lead supplier communications related to product development, costing, timelines, and performance.
• Support supplier negotiations and cost-reduction initiatives in partnership with leadership.
• Maintain supplier documentation, specifications, and contracts.

Supply Chain Optimization & Risk Management

• Support end-to-end supply chain optimization efforts for private brand products.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, and Inventory Planning teams to:
  • Improve lead times and on-time delivery
  • Optimize MOQ, production runs, and inventory levels
  • Reduce total landed cost where possible

• Monitor supplier performance related to service levels, quality, and responsiveness.
• Escalate supply risks and support mitigation plans such as alternate sourcing or item transitions.

Process Discipline & Operational Excellence

• Execute and continuously improve sourcing and product development processes to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Follow standardized workflows for:
  • New item development and commercialization
  • Supplier qualification and onboarding
  • Costing, specification management, and change control

• Help document processes, tools, and best practices.
• Track progress against timelines, milestones, and readiness requirements.
• Use data and reporting to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners including Product Management, Merchandising, QA, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and Operations.
• Provide guidance and day-to-day support to junior team members or analysts, as applicable.
• Contribute to a solutions-oriented, accountable team culture.
• Participate in training, onboarding, and capability-building initiatives.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all assigned products meet FDA, USDA, FSMA, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with QA and Regulatory teams to manage product specifications, audits, labeling, allergens, and claims.
• Support issue resolution related to quality, compliance, and supplier corrective actions.
• Uphold private brand quality and food safety standards.

Financial & Business Support

• Support product-level costing, margin targets, and business case development.
• Track costs, savings initiatives, and supplier changes impacting COGS.
• Assist in forecasting, item setup, and launch readiness activities.
• Ensure sourcing decisions align with financial and operational goals.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Buying Operations, Supply Chain, Food Science, or related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in sourcing, product development, or private brand roles.
• Experience with CPG packaged food and/or general merchandise.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Product Management teams.
• Working knowledge of supply chain concepts, supplier management, and commercialization processes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and execution skills.

Preferred

• Experience in convenience retail or multi-format retail.
• Exposure to global sourcing and food safety regulations.
• Prior experience mentoring or supervising junior team members.

Key Competencies

• Product development execution
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Supplier management
• Supply chain optimization
• Process discipline & attention to detail
• Problem-solving and prioritization
• Clear communication

Success Metrics

• On-time execution of product development and launches
• Accuracy and completeness of specifications and documentation
• Supplier performance and service levels
• Lead time and supply continuity improvements
• Cost and margin target support
• Cross-functional partner satisfaction

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Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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