Product Development Specialist - Contract

National Food Group•Novi, MI

14d•Onsite

About The Position

National Food Group is seeking an innovative and driven Product Development Specialist to join our Product Development team in a temporary role, with the potential to transition into a full-time position based on performance and business needs. This is an exciting opportunity to play a hands-on role in developing and launching food products that serve K-12 students across the country. Working closely with manufacturing partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, you will help bring new product ideas to life while supporting the continuous improvement of our existing portfolio. The ideal candidate is passionate about food innovation, curious about consumer and market trends, and energized by turning insights into commercially successful products. You'll leverage industry research, customer feedback, and market data to identify growth opportunities and support the development of products that meet the evolving needs of school nutrition programs. Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate the technical and operational challenges of product commercialization across multiple manufacturing environments. If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and making a meaningful impact through food innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dietetics, or a related field with demonstrated experience supporting product scale-up, plant trials, and commercialization activities.
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in food product development.
Hands-on experience working with food manufacturers and/or co-manufacturing partners, including plant trials, scale-up activities, and commercialization support.
Experience developing retail and/or foodservice products from concept through commercialization.
Experience troubleshooting formulation, processing, or manufacturing challenges during product development and commercialization.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Effective conflict resolution and relationship management skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
A creative thinker who can identify emerging trends and uncover opportunities for innovation.
Someone who is open to learning, coaching, and continuous professional growth.
A self-starter with a strong work ethic and a results-driven mindset.
An individual who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and embraces change.

Responsibilities

Support growth and innovation initiatives for Zee Zees product lines.
Partner with manufacturers on formula and flavor development activities, including benchtop sample creation.
Plan, coordinate, and execute plant trials with manufacturing partners to support product and process commercialization and continuous improvement.
Support technical aspects of new product development projects and line extensions.
Assist in identifying ingredients, suppliers, and manufacturing partners that support innovation and product growth.
Partner with cross-functional teams to accelerate speed-to-market.
Validate product claims and ensure K12 nutrition regulations are met with cross functional team guidance.
Update and maintain existing products to accommodate label changes, regulatory updates, and business requirements.
Assist in managing the product lifecycle from concept development through commercialization.