Product Development Manager

Albertsons • Pleasanton, CA

1d

About The Position

Why choose us? Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand! At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who’s not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that’s constantly evolving. Main responsibilities: This position serves as the lead Own Brands Product Development resource for the Ready to Eat team, driving innovation, quality, and continuous improvement across multiple categories. The role is responsible for developing and commercializing new and reformulated products from concept through store execution, ensuring alignment with category strategies and Own Brands quality standards. The Product Development Manager will partner closely with Sourcing, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Category, and supplier partners. The position will be based in Pleasanton CA. Lead the development and approval of new and reformulated food products, ensuring delivery against quality, performance, cost, and timeline expectations. Responsibilities include conducting sensory evaluations, researching product standards and attributes, assessing product safety and shelf life, and overseeing consumer testing and analysis as needed. Collaborate with co-manufacturers and self-manufacturing to guide successful development, scale up, and commercialization of new and updated products. Create and manage product specifications, including requesting technical documentation from suppliers, developing internal specifications, and reviewing and approving updates to existing specifications. Serve as the team’s subject matter expert on product specifications. Manage internal and external suppliers by coordinating sample and product information requests, supporting specification development, and communicating product changes related to safety, performance, or regulatory needs. Operate autonomously in leading cross functional partners through all project phases to deliver against timelines and objectives. Provide guidance and support to both technical and non-technical team members to help resolve technical challenges. Serve as the primary technical resource for internal stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field
• At least 8 years of experience in benchtop or lab, product development, manufacturing (QA or operations).
• 4+ years project management
• Excellent time management skills and proven track record of successfully managing multiple, complex, and technically challenging projects to on time completion in a fast-paced environment
• Mastery of basic analytical and application-based laboratory equipment and procedures (pH meter, refractometer, titrations, viscosity analyses, pumps, kettles, commercial/industrial ovens, etc.).
• Experience with manufacturing equipment and systems, scale-up, and commercialization of new products.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with, lead, and motivate direct reports and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with MS Office and various nutrition databases (ESHA Genesis).
• Principles/Disciplines: Food Preservation, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Processing/Manufacturing, Statistics.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of new product development process
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of Food Science and their application.
• Knowledge and understanding of ingredient functionality, product formulations, and food preparation.
• Knowledge and understanding of sensory evaluation procedures, statistical analysis, and data interpretation
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance (FDA, USDA, organic, kosher, various industry standards)
• Understanding of food safety principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and approval of new and reformulated food products, ensuring delivery against quality, performance, cost, and timeline expectations.
• Responsibilities include conducting sensory evaluations, researching product standards and attributes, assessing product safety and shelf life, and overseeing consumer testing and analysis as needed.
• Collaborate with co-manufacturers and self-manufacturing to guide successful development, scale up, and commercialization of new and updated products.
• Create and manage product specifications, including requesting technical documentation from suppliers, developing internal specifications, and reviewing and approving updates to existing specifications.
• Serve as the team’s subject matter expert on product specifications.
• Manage internal and external suppliers by coordinating sample and product information requests, supporting specification development, and communicating product changes related to safety, performance, or regulatory needs.
• Operate autonomously in leading cross functional partners through all project phases to deliver against timelines and objectives.
• Provide guidance and support to both technical and non-technical team members to help resolve technical challenges.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for internal stakeholders and external partners.

Benefits

• Competitive wages paid weekly
• Associate discounts
• Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
• Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay).
• Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
• An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager