Product Development Director

Schwan's Company•Marshall, MN

12d•Remote

About The Position

Schwan’s Shared Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Schwan’s Company seeks a Director of Product Development – Asian Food Products. This role is responsible for overseeing the product development process and new product execution to support existing and future business objectives, achieve long-range solutions/opportunities, and increase speed to market. The Director will oversee the development of new products, improved products, cost improvements, and product maintenance that support existing and future business plans. This position also oversees all technical support/solutions to Marketing, Sales, and external customers in multiple areas. The role involves managing the identification and presentation of new product platforms/opportunities, product improvements, and cost reductions in alignment with business strategy. Additionally, the Director will manage the department budget, department goals, and policies and programs to improve staff or department efficiencies, speed of response, and focus of staff activities and department operations. The Director will direct, coordinate, and exercise functional authority for project planning, organizing, integrating, and completion. They will direct and coordinate activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within the prescribed budget. The role includes preparing and communicating various project reports for Business Unit and Department management, analyzing project team reports to evaluate team effectiveness and budget status against plan, and evaluating and documenting completed projects for total cost, quality, process compliance, timeliness, specification compliance, and recommendations for continued product development improvement. The Director will also manage, train, and develop subordinates. Other duties as assigned. Must have proof of legal authority to work in the U.S.

Requirements

Candidates with a qualifying bachelor's degree must have either (a) 14 years of experience as a Food Scientist, Senior Food Scientist or similar position in qualitative and quantitative food research to make food products safe, palatable and healthful at a food manufacturer and distributor with at least 8 years of that food research and development experience in Asian food development, particularly chilled or frozen and shelf stable products; OR (b) 14 years of experience as a Food Safety Analyst, Food Safety and Quality Specialist, Senior Food Safety and Quality Specialist, Senior Manager Quality Assurance/Quality Control, Senior Manager Director Food Safety and Quality, Food Safety Specialist, Food Safety QPM Division Senior Manager or other similar food safety and quality position in developing, implementing and establishing food safety and quality (FSQ) audits and systems at a food manufacturer and distributor with at least 8 years of that food safety and quality experience in food safety and quality for Asian food, particularly chilled or frozen and shelf stable Asian food products.
For candidates with a qualifying master's degree, must have 12 years of the type of experience referenced above.
Must have proof of legal authority to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

Overseeing the product development process and new product execution to support existing and future business objectives, to achieve long-range solutions/opportunities, and to increase speed to market.
Oversee the development of new products, improved products, cost improvements, and product maintenance that support existing and future business plans.
Oversee all technical support/solutions to Marketing, Sales, and external customers in multiple areas.
Manage the identification and presentation of new product platforms/opportunities, product improvements and cost reductions in alignment with business strategy.
Manage the department budget, department goals and policies and programs to improve staff or department efficiencies, speed of response, and focus of staff activities and department operations.
Direct, coordinate and exercise functional authority for project planning, organizing, integrating and completion.
Direct and coordinate activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budget.
Prepare and communicate various project reports for Business Unit and Department management.
Analyze project team reports to evaluate team effectiveness and budget status against plan.
Evaluate and document completed project for total cost, quality, process compliance, timeliness, specification compliance, and recommendations for continued product development improvement.
Manage, train and develop subordinates.
Other duties as assigned.