Product Development Specialist

National Food Group•Novi, MI

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

National Food Group is seeking an innovative and driven Product Development Specialist to join its Product Development team in a full-time, permanent role. The position owns assigned line extensions and selected new products from concept through commercialization and post-launch follow-up, primarily for the Zee Zees brand. The specialist also serves as the dedicated product development partner for the Food Distribution business. The role uses industry research, customer feedback, and market data to identify growth opportunities and develop commercially successful products for school nutrition programs. It involves close collaboration with manufacturing partners, suppliers, and internal teams to develop and improve products while addressing technical and operational challenges across multiple manufacturing environments. The position is based in Novi, Michigan, and is on-site / hybrid. Work is primarily performed in a temperature-controlled office, with required travel to manufacturing facilities for plant trials. Facility visits may involve production floors, required personal protective equipment, extended periods of standing, and varying temperatures and noise levels. Reasonable accommodations will be made to fulfill the job requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dietetics, or a related field.
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.
Experience independently leading 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.
Ability to own and lead projects independently while collaborating effectively across multiple departments.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Effective conflict resolution and relationship management skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to travel to manufacturing facilities for plant trials; facility work involves production floors, required personal protective equipment, extended standing, and varying temperatures and noise levels.

Nice To Haves

Creativity in identifying emerging trends and opportunities for innovation.
Openness to learning, coaching, and continuous professional growth.
A self-starter mindset, strong work ethic, and results-driven approach.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and embrace change.

Responsibilities

Own assigned line extensions and selected new Zee Zees products from concept through commercialization and post-launch follow-up.
Lead formula and flavor development with manufacturing partners, including benchtop sample creation and sensory evaluation.
Plan, coordinate, and lead plant trials and scale-up with manufacturing partners to support commercialization and continuous improvement.
Serve as the dedicated product development resource for the Food Distribution business, including product evaluations, parity testing, costing, recipe development, and co-manufacturer projects.
Identify and evaluate ingredients, alternate suppliers, and manufacturing partners, and recommend reformulation opportunities that support innovation, margin, and supply continuity.
Validate product claims and ensure products meet K-12 nutrition requirements, including USDA meal pattern and Smart Snacks standards, in partnership with cross-functional teams.
Maintain specifications and documentation for owned products, and update existing products to accommodate label changes, regulatory updates, and business requirements.
Partner with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Operations to prioritize projects and accelerate speed-to-market.