Product Development Manager

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Maintenance Electrician

Posted – 11.28.22

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Description

Overall Responsibilities

About Golden West Food Group: 
Headquartered in Vernon, CA GWFG is a premium full spectrum manufacturer and distributor of fine food and beverage products. Family owned and operated since 1977 and operating two plants in southern California, GWFG offers more than 4,000 products to a variety of customers in both the foodservice and retail channels. GWFG is committed to providing the highest quality food products with an unrelenting commitment to fresh, nutritious ingredients and promotion of eco-friendly business practices.

Summary: 
This is a role supporting a growing R&D team. This associate will manage product development projects from concept to shelf including all technical aspects related to design, quality and shelf life, packaging, claims validation, production trials and launch support. Responsible for driving product development and leading the NPD team in execution. Ideal candidate is passionate about food, product design and creative product development. Candidate would preferably have direct experience in frozen and refrigerated food categories. This position functions within a fast-paced environment of creative energy, novel product designs and opportunities to continue professional growth and technical knowledge.

 

 

Technical Job Functions: 
  • Responsible for leading development stages of new products and assist in
    commercialization efforts

  • Develop concepts and prototypes using market research, category experience and
    consumer-centric designs

  • Use creative solutions to develop novel prototypes, keeping commercialization in mind

  • Leads plant trials, sensory testing, shelf life verification and claim validation

  • Lead meetings with cross functional teams, which may include program development,
    brainstorming sessions, timelines and project status updates (teams include Culinary,
    Purchasing, Production, QA, Marketing, Finance, Regulatory)

  • Lead preparation of comprehensive process documentation to enable smooth
    commercialization and training of plant personnel, and meet internal and external audit
    requirement including regulatory compliance, label reviews, BOM specification, raw
    ingredients specification, product specification, shelf life, etc.

  • Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications & Requirements:
  • Technical excellence in a food science related field

  • Demonstrate track-record of successful product design and launches, preferably in
    refrigerated or frozen product categories

  •  Competent in leading benchtop development and manufacturing trials

  • Excellent organizational skills and time management

  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)

  • Loves food and working with a passionate team

  • Ability to bring out the best in fellow team members and display leadership qualities

  • Travel 20 – 40%

Education and/or Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in food science, biology,
    chemistry, agricultural science, or a related life science field.

  • Min 5 years experience in food product or process development, QA, or manufacturing,
    preferably in bakery, refrigerated, and/or frozen food categories

  • Strong computer skills are essential

  • Knowledge of Culinary Arts 

Language Skills: 
Ideal candidate must be able to read and comprehend written and verbal instructions. Draft memos and correspondence with ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Fluent in English and Spanish, preferred.
Reasoning Ability: 
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Be able to read and comprehend instruments, equipment manuals.
Physical Demands: 
While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to smell, taste, and consume all food types. The individual occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment: 
The individual will handle and is exposed to allergenic and sensitive materials, such as soy, wheat, gluten, dairies, seafood, nuts, sulfites, etc.
 

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

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