Product Development Specialist Product Development Specialist

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA•Solon, OH

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Nestlé USA is seeking a Product Development Specialist to join their Technical Applications Group (TAG). This role involves working across multiple product brands within the world's largest Food Company. The ideal candidate will have a growth mindset and be willing to leverage their experience to learn new products, systems, and solutions. The position is hybrid, requiring onsite presence Tuesday-Thursday in Solon, OH, or Arlington, VA. Nestlé USA is committed to an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates achievements. This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Requirements

BS or MS degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, Food Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.
Minimum 3 years of product or process development experience in CPG or related field.
Experience in bakery, confectionery, baking science, cereal science/chemistry, and food science.
Experience in development of bakery, cookies, and/or chocolate and confectionary items.
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.

Nice To Haves

Baking skills are preferred, but not required.
Hands-on baking skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead recipe creation, re-formulation, and rapid prototyping.
Manage vendor relationships and interactions.
Work hands-on with Pilot Plants, Factories (Internal/External), and Manufacturing facilities to deliver on Innovation & Renovation (I&R) business objectives.
Help build consumer insights and represent products in cross-functional settings with Marketing, Sales, and Finance.
Drive product development, commercialization, optimization, and renovation.
Collaborate with cross-functional groups and external partners to communicate product and process capabilities.
Communicate technical product and process challenges, their impact, and creative solutions.
Influence team decisions and lead the implementation of product launches.
Implement Innovation & Renovation strategy for supported product categories.
Develop, implement, and execute creative product/process development activities (bench top, pilot plant, internal/external factory) to achieve project goals and deadlines.
Act as Technical Lead, applying leadership, coaching, and influencing skills to steer projects according to Key Success Criteria.
Formulate products within capabilities and match products shown in consumer testing.
Conduct robust complaint reduction exercises and mitigate key risks.
Ensure proper controls are in place to match the gold standard every time.
Act as the key point of contact to the factory for technical solution implementation.
Introduce new products and processes within factories, collaborating with internal and external project teams (R&D, Project Managers, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering, Packaging, Factories, Marketing, Co-Manufacturing, Purchasing, Supply Chain, etc.).
Provide working equipment/product knowledge guidance and support to Factory/R&D/Engineering resources during new technology and process development.
Continuously improve/optimize current products and processes within factories according to local business needs and supply situation.
Lead technical projects including technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings.
Establish and manage timelines, uncover roadblocks, define critical paths, and identify resource constraints.
Ensure adherence to all products, processes, and materials standards, complying with Nestlé requirements, external standards, and local regulatory frameworks.
Identify, influence, and lead the development of product and process standards within Nestlé systems.
Act as Quality Lead for assigned projects, including practical application of HACCP/Food Safety fundamentals, new material onboarding, allergen/claims validation, and process capability.
Continuously improve technical skills and personal development, acting as a proactive affiliate member of Nestlé Expert Networks and/or external networks.
Act as an ambassador for Nestlé 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.
Provide first-line support to factories, especially in ingredient, recipe, and processing areas, to ensure consistent production of high-quality products.