Director of Product Development

The Spice & Tea Exchange•St. Augustine, FL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Product Development plays a pivotal part in shaping the future of The Spice & Tea Exchange brand, ensuring every product we create is inspired, distinctive, and operationally executable from development through delivery. At The Spice & Tea Exchange®, it is our mission to create and share the experience of a more flavorful life. This role champions innovation from concept to shelf, overseeing product strategy, sourcing, quality, cost and commercialization with a relentless focus on brand integrity and market relevance. As a cross-functional leader, the Director will guide a talented team of Product Category Managers, Project Coordinators, and Analysts while collaborating closely with Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Marketing, Operations, and Franchise stakeholders. Together, this team will bring new ideas to life that delight guests, strengthen our franchise network, and drive sustainable category growth and overall shelf management.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Food Science, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline.
7+ years of product development, category management, or CPG experience (preferably in food, beverage, or specialty consumables) with a minimum of 4 years in a managerial role.
Proven leadership, managing product teams, or category leads.
Strong understanding of consumer trends, sourcing, product lifecycle, and commercialization.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, and operations.
Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance creativity and execution.
Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail.
Adaptable and resourceful in a fast-paced, evolving retail and franchise environment.
Frequent travel by plane and car to Headquarters and to various Stores across the US.
Consistent ability to utilize hands and fingers to perform tasks as necessary for job duties, which may include operating machinery, handling materials, typing, and designing.
Consistent capacity for visual acuity to monitor processes, examine materials and labels, and ensure quality standards are met.
Consistently communicate in English utilizing both written and oral methods including the use of speech and hearing to communicate effectively with team members, customers, and the ability to engage in verbal discussions and listen attentively (8+ hours per day).
Ability to visually identify color, substance, products, and their characteristics.
Operation of, but not limited to, office equipment, computers, and computer tools.
Consistently work around spices; must not be sensitive or allergic to various scents, spices, fruits, extracts, aromas, or personal protective equipment (latex gloves).

Nice To Haves

Background in gourmet foods, teas, spices, or specialty retail, preferred.
Experience working with franchise networks or multi-channel product distribution, preferred.
Knowledge of regulatory standards and certifications for consumables, preferred.
A passion for high-quality food, tea, and flavor, preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute product roadmaps across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories.
Identify market trends, consumer insights, and franchise needs to drive new product concepts.
Lead ideation and cross-functional collaboration to bring new SKUs and seasonal programs to market.
Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify new trends, consumer preferences, and gaps in the market.
Leverage customer and franchisee feedback to inform the product roadmap and drive data-driven decisions.
Partner with franchise owners to pilot new products, collect field insights, and integrate real-time operational feedback to improve product performance and guest experience across diverse markets.
Analyze product performance data post-launch to inform future development cycles and measure success against KPIs.
Manage and mentor a team of Product Category Managers, Coordinators and/or Specialists.
Ensure each category has clear strategy, timelines, and performance goals.
Oversee product lifecycle, from concept to launch to retirement.
Own category dashboards and lifecycle analytics, leveraging POS, e-commerce, and supply chain data to optimize SKU mix, forecast demand, and identify discontinuation or re-formulation opportunities.
Partner closely with Senior Director of Corporate Development to ensure product procurement is aligned with the brand vision and sustained growth plan.
Partner closely with Supply Chain for sourcing, costing, and supplier relationships. Champion sustainable sourcing, packaging innovation, and supplier transparency initiatives that align with The Spice & Tea Exchange’s brand promise and environmental responsibility goals.
Partner closely with Marketing to align branding, packaging, positioning, naming, and launch campaigns.
Partner closely with Franchise Operations for owner input and sell-in support.
Partner closely with QA & Regulatory to ensure ingredient accuracy, certifications, and compliance.
Oversee timelines, costing, and margin targets for every product initiative.
Drive SKU launches for retail, wholesale, ecommerce, and seasonal programs.
Align product pipeline with production, distribution, and operational capacity.
Ensure products meet brand expectations for flavor, consistency, packaging, and guest experience.
Collaborate with QA on labeling, certifications (organic, kosher, etc.), and ingredient integrity.
Set goals, track KPIs, and report progress to the Senior Director of Corporate Development.
Oversee project timelines, P&Ls, and profitability targets by category.