Senior Director, Product Development

Kinder's • Walnut Creek, CA

95d

About The Position

The Senior Director of Product Development at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in leading the team that drives our core product innovation and renovation projects. Reporting to the SVP of Product & Innovation, you will be responsible for the management and leadership of a team of product developers, focusing on bringing best-in-class products to market with industry-leading speed. In this multifaceted role, you will collaborate with internal teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and third-party partners to execute key line extensions, including new flavors and packaging formats, and renovate existing products to improve cost, quality, and overall consumer value. You will be responsible for building and supporting a world-class team, with a flexible approach that can easily transition between coaching/mentorship and a hands-on style where necessary.

Requirements

• 12-15+ years of experience in product development, innovation management, or a similar field.
• CPG experience, including at least some advanced experience in food development required.
• Proven experience leading the development and commercial scale-up of key line extensions and product renovations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams including both internal and external stakeholders.
• Consumer-obsessed innovator with a passion for turning consumer needs into high value product solutions.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing product development and commercialization strategies.
• Data-driven mindset, with the ability to analyze efficiently and make data-backed decisions quickly.
• Proven people-centric leader with an emphasis on driving performance through culture and mentorship.
• Bachelor's degree. Technical degree (e.g. food science, chemistry/engineering, etc.), while not required, is a significant plus.

Nice To Haves

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end development of key line extensions, from concept to commercialization, including new flavors and new packaging formats.
• Support the commercial scale-up of new products, ensuring a seamless transition from development to launch.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders (Brand Management, Sales, Innovation, Project Management) to identify development priorities and translate them into an aggressive, cohesive and attainable project plan.
• Ensure market-leading speed to market and volume of innovation, while delivering against the high quality standards of the brand.
• Build a culture of strong product design excellence including application of design-for-manufacturability and design-for-margin principles.
• Partner with R&D leadership to transition new product platforms from the R&D phase to long-term product development.
• Implement learnings from key R&D projects (e.g. clean-label evolutions, quality / technical upgrades).
• Partner with Brand Management, Finance, and Project Management teams to identify and prioritize key opportunities to drive improved product margins while sustaining or increasing product quality.
• Lead the team in the renovation of key existing products to improve cost, quality, and overall consumer value.
• Partner with cross-functional SWAT teams to drive key renovation/optimization projects based on quality standards, financial goals and aggressive attainment timelines.
• Lead the review and maintenance of all product documentation, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for key internal and external partners.
• Effectively communicate product specifications and critical information to commercialization partners, including creative/packaging design teams, the quality department, and key external partners (including co-packers).
• Drive a project hindsight process to capture key insights and incorporate them into future project team briefing and project prioritization.
• Lead and mentor a team of product developers, guiding key projects supporting the core product platforms of the business.
• Partner closely with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Finance) to drive project alignment and ensure successful delivery of key programs.
• Facilitate project team meetings, create and present status reports, and provide clear communication on project risks and opportunities to departmental and senior leadership.
• Act as a champion for the Product Development process, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees