What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Developer position at Louisiana Fish Fry Products, LTD.?
Purpose
Louisiana Fish Fry Products, America’s #1-selling Fish Fry and a leader in Louisiana-inspired food products, is looking for a Product Development Manager to develop new products that reflect the bold, authentic flavors of our home state and maintain the impeccable quality of existing products.
This isn’t just bench work. It’s an opportunity to own the development process from concept to shelf — blending culinary creativity with technical know-how. You’ll roll up your sleeves in the test kitchen, partner with operations, suppliers, and marketing, and shepherd bold new products through commercialization. We’re looking for someone who loves food, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and can flex between big-picture strategy and hands-on execution. This position has one direct report and reports to the VP of Marketing.
Key Responsibilities
- Budget Management
o Manage annual product development budgets.
o Lead cross-functional team to meet annual six-figure product optimization savings budget within acceptable consumer parameters, managing sensory processes to ensure consumer acceptance.
- New Product Development
o Lead cross-functional product development projects, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, consumer insights, and operational feasibility.
o Translate culinary trends and regional flavor profiles into scalable, shelf stable, profitable products.
o Manage formulation, benchtop testing, pilot trials, and scale-up in collaboration with operations and quality teams.
o Lead technical operations staff to meet timeline milestones in product development; oversee all aspects of new product test blends, test runs, and production runs.
o Manage all new product documentation, including but not limited to: product specification sheet, recipe, net weight, process steps, packaging requirements, shelf life, nutrition fact panel, ingredient statement, cooking instructions.
o Create best in class sensory methodologies for product development and evaluation to serve as guidelines for sensory analysis in food product development and quality control.
o Partner with senior brand manager to improve a new product development system that includes HACCP.
- Legacy Product Improvement/Maintenance
o Drive continuous improvement of existing products for taste, texture, cost, and sustainability.
o Mentor and develop junior team members and technical staff.
o Lead the organization in developing product profile benchmarking to determine how products compare to competitors in retail and food service, maintaining a database of product advantages, disadvantages, and claim opportunities.
o Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers (including co-manufacturers) with meetings and quarterly in-person major supplier reviews.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field (Master’s a plus).
- 8-10 years of product development experience in CPG food, preferably in seasonings, sauces, or other Southern cuisine.
- Experience taking products from concept to commercialization (lab to shelf).
- Strong knowledge of food formulation, processing, labeling, and regulatory compliance.
- Some experience with sensory, conducting shelf life studies nad packaging systems a plus.
· Software proficiency – Microsoft Excel (advanced), PLM/R&D software (e.g., Genesis, SpecRight, Oracle, SAP), and statistical tools for experimental design.
Skills & Attributes
- Hands-on and resourceful — equally comfortable in the kitchen, the lab, or on the plant floor.
- A genuine love of food and passion for bringing bold flavors to life.
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
- Strong leadership and team-building capabilities; proven success in revitalizing or scaling commercial teams.
- Entrepreneurial mindset — you thrive in a fast-paced, growing environment where every project matters.
- Hands-on, driven, and adaptable with a high sense of urgency and accountability.
Physical Requirements
- Willingness to travel as needed to comanufacturers and suppliers.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Ability to work for extended periods at a computer or in meetings.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $58,801.62 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Salary : $58,802 - $100,000