Product Development Specialist (TAG) Product Development Specialist (TAG)

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA•Solon, OH

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow. At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives. Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Relocation assistance is not available for this position This is a hybrid role that is onsite Tuesday-Thursday POSITION SUMMARY: Does working in product development to enable business goals while leveraging your experience to solve problems, propose optimization solutions, and create new and robust products sound interesting and engaging to you? Join our product development team, known as the Technical Applications Group (TAG)! You will work across multiple product brands in the world’s largest Food Company. We are looking for someone with a growth mind-set that is willing to leverage their experience learning new products, systems, and solutions. What does this mean for you? You will lead recipe creation, re-formulation, rapid prototyping, and management of vendor relationships/interactions. You will work hands-on with our Pilot Plants, Factories (Internal/External), and Manufacturing facilities to deliver on Innovation & Renovation (I&R) business objectives. You will help to build consumer insights and be the face of our products in cross-functional settings with representatives from Marketing, Sales, and Finance. How does your role fit into the broader organization? This is a critical role within TAG that drives product development, commercialization, optimization, and renovation. Our business is focused on speed, agility, courage, and collaboration. We are in the midst of a culture shift where we are consumer obsessed and see our consumers as our True North. Come be part of our team to help us win in the market. How will you interface across departments? The TAG Product Development Specialist is a leader who collaborates with cross-functional groups and external partners to communicate product and process capabilities. Want to flex and develop your leadership and influencing skills? You will have the opportunity to communicate technical product and process challenges, their impact, and creative solutions. Your mission will be to influence team decisions and lead implementation of product launches.

Requirements

A BS or MS degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering.
Position requires approximately 25- 35% travel.
Prefer minimum 3 years of product or process development experience in CPG or related field.
Ability to work in a fast paced and high performing environment with autonomy
Organizational skills & ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, Project Management Skills and Capabilities
Communication skills: interpersonal, presentation, oral and written, strong networking and stakeholder management skills
Highly motivated, critical thinker, goal oriented and easily adapts to change and manages through ambiguity
Experience/knowledge and practical application of HACCP and Quality/Food Safety Requirements
Problem Solving Skills (Go See Think Do, DMAIC experience)
Business acumen including an understanding of the businesses where project work is occurring
Understanding of the consumer and an ability to focus work with the consumer in mind
Computer Skills: SAP, Recipe Management Systems, Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Power Point, Word, Access, Sharepoint, Teams

Responsibilities

Implementation of Innovation & Renovation strategy for the supported product categories in the market. Leverage technical experience to develop, implement, and execute creative product/process development activities (e.g. bench top, pilot plant, and internal/external factory) to achieve project goals and deadlines to delight the consumer.
As the Technical Lead: Apply leadership, coaching and influencing skills to steer the project in accordance with Key Success Criteria to deliver the project on time, at or below the COGS target, and in a way that delights the consumer.
Formulate the product within our capabilities
Match the product shown in consumer testing (and don’t allow it to be fielded if you don’t have a path to execution)
Do a robust complaint reduction exercise and mitigate the key risks
Ensure the proper controls are in place to match the gold standard every time.
Act as the key point of contact TO the factory to ensure proper implementation of the technical solution
Introduction of new products and processes within factories. Collaborate and influence internal and external project teams (Teams are made up of R&D, Product Developers, Project Managers, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering, Packaging, Factories, Marketing, Co-Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain, etc.) to develop, industrialize, and launch Innovation and Renovation projects.
Provide working equipment / product knowledge guidance and support to the Factory / R&D / Engineering resources during the development of new technology and processes
Continuously improve/optimize current products and processes within factories according to local business needs and supply situation and/or implementation of initiatives. Lead technical projects including technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings. This includes establishing and managing timelines, uncovering roadblocks, defining critical paths, and identifying resource constraints.
Ensure adherence to all products, processes, materials standards. Comply with Nestlé requirements (includes 60/40+), external standards, and local regulatory framework. Identify, influence, and lead the development of the product and process standards within the Nestlé systems.
Act as Quality Lead for various projects as assigned. This includes practical application of HACCP/Food Safety fundamentals, new material onboarding, allergen/claims validation and process capability.
Continuous improvement of technical skills and personal development, while being a proactive affiliate member of a Nestlé Expert Network and/or external networks. Acts as an ambassador for Nestle USA TAG when representing globally or externally.
Develop expertise for product and process mastership within TAG Assist in the development of competencies and training materials required for product/process mastership to enable manufacturing excellence. This includes knowledge and formula expertise in both product and process. Helps to build capability and process mastery within the factory and TAG. Represents TAG in general conversations as a SME on manufacturing finished product.
Provide first line support to factories.
Especially in the areas of ingredient, recipe and processing to ensure consistent production of high-quality products for the consumer.