Product Development Project Lead

Serves as the regular contact between the company Product Development / LP Management, customer’s Menu Management, Quality Systems and all Supply Chain partners to help facilitate project management including communication regarding new product development, product commercialization, technical issues/opportunities, manage current projects, coordinate new concepts with product development within customer’s and the company as well as ensure high quality customer service, rapid problem response and resolution.

Travel:  20%.

Essential Functions:

• Facilitates communication regarding the development of new products or duplication of target products to conclusion including internal formula submission and pricing requests into customer’s restaurants, as requested by customer, to ensure smooth operations and high-quality customer service. Facilitates resolution of technical product issues efficiently and to customer’s satisfaction.  25%
• Schedules and facilitates new and core product reviews to include new product launches including Pilot Plant product runs. Facilitates planning between customer’s Menu Management staff and company Product Development, Quality Assurance and Operations to ensure customer needs are met and the company receives regulars required feedback for effective decision-making.  20%
• Coordinates the presentation of new concepts to customer’s which includes providing samples for evaluation, creating presentation materials, attending focus groups, assisting with taste panel testing and following up with the appropriate company contacts. 10%
• Supports the communication between company LPNA and customer’s Supply Chain on New Product and LTO launches. Lead interactions, troubleshoots, and problem-solves product development and new product and core supply chain issues regarding company products, national promotions, and regional promotional activities and to ensure rapid problem response and resolution with customers.  25%
• Participates in the company’s New Products Supply Chain, Core Supply Chain and Supply Chain partners meetings and special project teams to provide input and direction on customer’s strategic initiatives and menu development. 5%
• Attends the customer’s QS product cuttings and attends the customer’s Liquid Product Innovation Team meetings. 5%
• Look for and anticipate opportunities outside of our current portfolio to gain market share within the customer’s business. 5%
• Maintain customer-facing Innovation Kitchen and shared office space to support customer evaluations, product testing, and internal evaluation efforts in the Chicago Innovation Center. 5%

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Jeff Fee at jfee@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  1009.22JF
#LI-JF1

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or related technical field from an accredited college or university

Experience:

• 3-5 or more years of relevant experience in product development, customer interaction and support functions and/or marketing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Food manufacturing processes and practices
• Liquid product manufacturing processes
• Management concepts and techniques
• PC word processing / spreadsheet software

Skill and Ability to:

• Communicate and coordinate effectively with internal and external customers verbally and in writing
• Develop long-term, trusting relationships with customer contacts
• Analyze and resolve complex problems using sound reasoning skills and technical tools e.g., Excel spreadsheets, other templates, etc.
• Interpret customer service problems or anomalies and identify appropriate solutions
• Work effectively in a general business environment, with a focus on high levels of proactive quality and customer service
• Act in accordance with company’s Values & Creed

Expectations:

• Must be willing to come into the office on average 3 days per week, and up to 5 when necessary
• Travel up to 20%

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Jeff Fee at jfee@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  1009.22JF
#LI-JF1