Product Development Manager

SUMMARY

The Product Development Manager is responsible for managing product development project/work, providing research and development expertise, and acting as a core team member for more highly complex product development projects. This position will focus on new product commercialization and line extensions as initiated by a customer or internally. This position also provides technical support to other departments in the company including: Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement, and Supply Chain.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following with other duties assigned as needed.

• Serves as a core Team Member on more highly complex projects as Product Expert through commercialization.
• Responsible for long-term innovation to product development/commercialization hand-off for discrete products.
• Leads team through plant scale-up of new products through operational release for highly complex product development projects.
• Serves as the internal owner for Salesforce opportunities, including the accountability for completion of requests for custom samples which may require benchtop or in-plant trials.
• Sits on the Screen Team and owns the Custom Opportunity Item Screening process; identifies opportunities for process improvement.
• Achieves project objectives through strong project management and cross-functional influence.
• Provides technical support through researching internal/external customer requests/challenges, experimentation, formulation, application testing, and technical product presentations.
• Research and increase knowledge in understanding key customer application attributes providing solutions and growing Sartori originals and branded items.
• Consults with the R&D Process, Operations, and CI teams on efficiency initiatives, alternate ingredient sourcing, testing, and validation.
• Partners with the R&D Process and Engineering teams to improve manufacturing efficiencies, assess new processing equipment, and commercialize new processes.
• Supports the achievement of R&D and overall company goals by delivering on established metrics and strategic initiatives.
• Adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and maintains confidentiality.

 DIRECT REPORTS

Directly coordinates and supervises a Food Technologist and a Food Scientist within the Research and Development Team.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, or other related field, required.
• Master’s degree in Food Science or a minimum of 5 years’ experience in food-related product and process development, required.
• CPG product development and commercialization experience strongly preferred.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Alignment with Company Values: Demonstrates behaviors and values that reflect the company’s culture. Sartori’s core values are family, commitment, authenticity, ingenuity, integrity, and humility.
• Organizational and Time Management Skills - Ability to manage and navigate priorities while meeting deadlines, anticipating needs, and proactively resolving issues
• Collaborative – partners with team members to realize better results and make a positive impact; engages stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives and foster shared understanding.
• Accuracy – Ensures precision and attention to detail in all tasks, maintaining high standards for data integrity, documentation, and work output. Consistently produces error-free work and carefully reviews information to prevent mistakes.
• Communicates Effectively – Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate thoughts and express ideas to any audience and actively listen to understand.
• Learning Agility & Intellectual Curiosity - Ability to quickly adapt to new challenges, acquire new skills, and apply knowledge in evolving environments. Proactively seeks opportunities to expand expertise, explore innovative solutions, and stay informed of industry trends and best practices.
• Decision Quality – Makes sound and timely decisions, using a mixture of analysis of information, experience, and judgement, weighs risks and benefits.
• Resilience – remains composed and effective under pressure, maintaining focus and productivity in evolving environments; recovers quickly from setbacks and persists in the face of challenges.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WORK LOCATION

This is a hybrid position (3 days in-office, 2 days remote) located at our Pleasant View corporate office located in Plymouth, WI.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license and auto insurance is required.
• Up to 20% travel may be required to meet the needs of the business.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit, walk, hear and or talk with others. Also, the Team Member will occasionally be required to stand, kneel, crouch or crawl, handle, finger of feel, climb, stoop or reach with hands and arms as well as maintain control over others. The Team Member will be required to lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision requirements include: near and far acuity, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

This position may require occasional overtime, or weekend hours and/or traveling.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly exposed to wet, humid and/or cool conditions and is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.  The noise level in various work areas requires ear protection.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Pilot plant equipment, such as: production shredders, blenders, and cubers
• Lab equipment, such as: pH meter, viscosity meter, scales/balances and additional specialized equipment as needed for specific project work
• Culinary equipment, such as: food processors, slicers, shredders and blenders
• Cooking equipment, such as: microwave ovens, convection and conventional ovens, cooktops, grills, griddles and specialized customer equipment as needed for specific project work

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