Product Development Specialist - Foodservice (TAG)

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA • Solon, OH

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a foodservice product development position with a bakery focus where dough experience is preferred. The primary purpose of this Technical Applications Group (TAG) role is to manage business relationships and serve as the main point of contact for Co-Manufacturing sites, including all technical, operational, commercial, and financial aspects of a group of contract manufacturers. This role also involves recognizing and driving opportunities for growth through innovation and renovation project ideation and execution. It requires an entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work collaboratively with the commercial/marketing side of the business in an ambiguous space, thinking creatively to explore new product portfolios and processes, discover new manufacturing capabilities and technology, and work in an accelerated manner that allows the company to continuously win with the consumer. Nestlé USA offers a rich portfolio of beloved brands and an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates achievements. Employees are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas in a supportive and collaborative environment that encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Business Administration, Economics or related fields required
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands & projects in an extremely fast paced, high pressure environment.
• Proven ability to work autonomously/Self-motivated
• Highly developed critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Drive issues to resolution
• Strong verbal, written, and analytical skills
• Ability to build relationships and communicate across multiple levels of organizations (internal & external to Nestlé). Need to be able to represent Nestlé as the single point of contact within the Co-Manufacturing sites, providing leadership and guidance across all aspects of the business.
• Working knowledge of finance and operational costing
• Knowledge of SAP, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Broad technical skills and understanding with an End-to-End mindset in: Manufacturing process and product interaction, Product development process and procedures, Material Handling, Finished Goods Management, Quality Assurance, Industrial Engineering/Operations Excellence/Loss analysis, Business Financial acumen
• Commercial/Marketing understanding and/or experience
• Professional curiosity to drive innovation throughout product portfolios. Ability to operate in an entrepreneurial space.
• Know yourself – Understanding of your skills and abilities within the organization and strong existing relationships to leverage to drive business results.

Nice To Haves

• Dough experience is preferred
• 5-8 years technical or manufacturing experience preferred
• Preferred experience in CPG product, process or packaging development and/or commercialization
• Preferred experience leading a cross-functional project team to bring a product to market

Responsibilities

• Responsible for business relationship and main point of contact for Co-Man sites (technical, operational, commercial and financial). Responsible for ensuring site adherence/compliance to all Contracts, Agreements and Co-Manufacturing Standard.
• Manage all operational and technical aspects at a group of Contract manufacturing sites, including ensuring supply (planning through invoice), compliance with Nestlé Quality policies and procedures (example QA HACCP and GMP's), management of Nestlé product specific information (product specifications, material specifications, certifications, etc), maintenance of SOP's and training.
• Provide strong onsite support for managing operations as the main point of contact working directly with site leadership and Nestlé cross functional teams.
• Ensure that a continuous improvement plan is in place to provide the lowest total delivered costs within the agreed to quality parameters.
• Ensure proper startup of new products at facilities including all required production related documentation being complete and available to co-manufacturer, achieving agreed upon timelines and compliance with Nestlé requirements.
• Ensure performance targets for assigned sites are being adhered to – including attainment, budgeting, costs (e.g. usage, PPV, tolling), savings targets, monthly variance reconciliation, consumer complaint reduction and first time right.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between the co-manufacturer and key internal interfaces to drive innovation & renovation concepts and project execution.
• Provide project leadership to coordinate cross-functional activities at contract manufacturer to ensure project is executed against timelines and budgets (PRO).
• Have a professional curiosity and entrepreneurial mindset to drive innovation throughout product portfolios and manufacturing processes in contract manufacturing sites.
• Have a broad technical skillset and end-to-end understanding of manufacturing processes along with strong cross-functional relationships to leverage through project execution and routine business practices.
• Ensure all co-manufacturers are fully compliant with Nestlé requirements and contract manufacturing agreements.
• Foster relationships with existing contract manufacturers and be able to establish new working relationships when new contract manufacturers are brought into the network.
• Make or Buy (4%): SPOC internally and externally to ensures the right resources are gathered for Make-or-buy analysis. Ensure that all projects outsourced to 3rd parties undergo an annual review with the relevant business, Procurement and Technical teams. Make recommendations on optimal Manufacturing solution between Co-Manufacturers/Packers and Nestlé factories, for decision by the Technical Manager in consultation with the Category BEM, Supply Chain, Procurement and Finance Directors as appropriate.
• Co-Manufacturing Strategy Management (7%): Develops and ensures Co-manufacturing strategy is aligned to the Business strategy and MBS ambitions. Leads the capability assessment process, including coordination of required assessments and audits. Ensuring any proposal to outsource supply is properly evaluated as required by ST21.116.
• Contract Management (5%): Accountable to ensure all Contracts are in place and relevant to the Business and Manufacturing strategy.
• Supplier management (15%): Overall accountability for Operational Reviews. Ensuring the relevant Nestlé tools are utilized, appropriate KPIs, measures and mechanisms are in place to manage and continually improve site performance.
• Exit/ Exception Management (1%): Align with the business and relevant stakeholders to agree on sites that are to be exited and the associated timelines. Support Procurement to ensure contractual obligations in the agreement are followed.
• Financial stability (3%): Ensure that effective financial control is maintained for core Co-packers/manufacturers in line with Nestlé standards. Provide full, accurate and timely financial information to facilitate effective decision-making regarding raw materials, packaging materials, labor, and overall site performance.
• Continuous Improvement (5%): Identify TDC opportunities and ensure delivery of annual Operational Excellence targets and proactively scan the market to understand capabilities / capacities / compliance of potential contract manufactures.
• Supply (30%): Accountability for Co-Manufacturer purchased raw materials, packaging materials, site capacity and capability to meet projected Nestlé Demand plans.
• Innovation (30%): Lead Co-Manufacturing relationships to deliver innovative/renovative solutions. Focus on scouting co-mans opportunities to deliver business profitability and growth.

Benefits

• Nestlé USA offers an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements.
• Supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.

What This Job Offers

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