Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Scope & Impact

The Manager, Product Development has full responsibility over a set of projects for a given category, those could be either Innovation, Regulatory or Superior Product Experience (Quality Improvement) programs. This role can also act as an enabler of the Productivity and Business Continuity Programs. It integrates the former responsibilities of the GDI Category Leader, Product Development, and Innovation & Experimentation (Commercialization).

It is part of this role to deliver projects with a high degree of technical robustness, as well as managing the Commercialization timeline of the project.

This role will focus on Hydration, Tea, Sport Category ( HTS )

Focus Areas

Key areas of focus of this role can be summarized as follows:

• GDI Project Execution & Management

• Project Commercialization

• Ensure technical diligence and robustness on each project.

Work Focus

• GDI Project Execution & Management, including Commercialization:

• Lead commercialization process for the market implementation of new product launches and product reformulations by working collaboratively and networking with all the necessary functions while ensuring compliance with KO standards and policies/ local regulation for the entire OU. Own the project timeline, manage and co-ordinate interactions among several entities (R&D, CPS, G2G, marketing, finance, technical and Bottling partners) to ensure effective process in place for each initiative as agreed standards and timelines.

• Responsible for designing product development approach, for elaborating project plan and for disciplined project execution. Delivers complex new product launches or product reformulations, from desk and benchtop level up to pilot and industrial scaling up, with a high degree of autonomy. Recommend validated product solutions with an informed defined risk and formula cost analysis.

• Responsible to develop set of specifications: Ingredient, Formula, Processing and Manufacturing Instructions (MMI), shelf-life recommendations.

• Leads project meetings within the category, cross-functionally with marketing, customer management or technical groups. 

• Participates in team projects, cross-functional committees, or company-wide initiatives to share information, represent the GDI function perspective, or assist with product development, process modification, package development and marketing.

• Drafts detailed & accurate reports for analyses, experiments, or projects.  Gathers and organizes information under tight timelines to support senior management's decision-making.

• Connects with Global R&D (research & development) Teams to align on priorities, project scope and resources to support the Latin America plans

• People Leadership:

• This role is an individual contributor.

• Create and contribute to a collaborative network relationship among peers.

• Leads by influencing more junior developers.

• Expected to become role-model of the function.

Communication Focus

Proper, timely and effective communication is key to this role's success, it communicates internally with the R&D network, the OU's Extended Category Team, global communities and externally with suppliers, partners, and associations.

Experience

• 3-5 years of deep knowledge and relevant experience in Research and Development roles and/or knowledge on Commercialization roles.

• Experience integrating end-to-end technical scopes for innovation projects.

• Knowledge of expanded Technical Functions as Supply Chain, Quality, SRA, etc.

The role requires a proper technical communication understanding.

*MASTERY OF (REQUIRED) *

Technical knowledge and experience in food/beverage industry.  Project Management  Knowledge on Supply chain and Quality   Knowledge on product development process and the ability to contribute expertise.

BROAD EXPERTISE IN * *(GOOD TO HAVE)  

Business Case creation and analysis, financial assessment of projects Food Safety and Quality Consumer Science / Marketing

Skills:

Leadership; Chemistry; Product Development; Influencing; Continual Improvement Process; Environmental Science; Sensory Processing; Researching; organization; Microbiology Laboratory; Project Management; Food Sciences; Food Technology; Communication; Laboratory Testing; Data Compilation; Quality Control (QC); Food Safety Management; Green Solutions

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.