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Product Developer –
13003700
– Chicago, IL
Basic
Purpose
-Develops innovative
and consumer driven new Exclusive Brand products. Supports existing
products through ongoing monitoring and reformulations. Maintains
accountability throughout the product development process from ideation
to product launch formula/spec development and commercialization.
Description
-
Contribute to
the definition of brand standards in regards to ingredient, nutritional
and product attributes.
Contribute to
Exclusive Brands profitable growth and overall success, with focus on new
offering innovation, and aligned with overall US Foods' strategy.
Use strong technical
expertise, portfolio analysis and insight to identify areas for
innovation, claims/nutritional potential, improved profitability
Collaborate
with category, marketing, FSQA and other functions to drive project
potential and assure aligned direction on priorities
Participate in
the building of the Exclusive Brand category strategy in conjunction with
Category Mgrs. Direct concept development within agreed business and
category strategies.
Identify and
evaluate key vendors in conjunction with the product development &
category teams. Develop vendor strategies based upon current vendor
strengths & weaknesses and long-term development requirements. Build
effective relationship with the vendor community
Maintain solid
technical and business understanding of the competitive set, and emerging
technology to help identify gap or opportunity areas for technical point
of difference in US Foods' products.
Develop
best-in-class nutritional attributes, formulas and product and ingredient
specifications that meet corporate, regulatory, and consumer/customer
needs. Ensure that brand integrity and brand strategies are maintained.
Drive for
specification ownership and proprietary advantage where applicable to
protect investments and block competitive potential. Understand and use
technical intellectual property as a key business protector and value
add.
Ensure that
projects are delivered with the highest quality to the business on agreed
timelines and within budget and are communicated with senior leadership
and other stakeholders.
Provide senior
technical and business support, mentoring, and possible direct report
accountabilities of more junior technical staff
Provide support
to marketing events and promotions.
Qualifications
-
Education/Training: University
education or equivalent in food science and/or nutrition
Related
Experience:
Minimum 5 year's related work experience in consumer packaged goods,
retail or foodservice. Expertise in product development and new product
innovation, with extensive product development/food science discipline.
Some management experience a plus but not required. Customer focused
expertise in the foodservice industry. Prior experience in facilitation
of group training is desired.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
·
Deep knowledge of HACCP and its application in food
industry
·
The candidate must have a strong foundation in the
core fundamentals of the culinary arts
·
Strong passion for food and the drive to develop
this passion throughout the organization
·
Strong sensory evaluation and analysis skills
·
Strategic decision-making approach to business
interests
·
High collaboration and project management skills to
work across a broad business base. Ability to influence and translate
technical information in a non-technical way to all levels in an
organization. Strong judgement and decision
making skillls
·
Highly organized with a strong focus on detail and
accuracy. Ability to thrive in a complex, high demand, evolving
environment, requiring quick responsiveness. Must be able to handle
multiple priorities while maintaining focus on the bottom line. Must
demonstrate a high degree of written and verbal skills and have excellent
organization and presentation skills
·
Must be able to work effectively as an individual
with minimal supervision or as a team member as required
·
Must possess intermediate proficiency in Microsoft
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Primary
Location
: IL-Chicago
Metro-Rosemont
Schedule
: Full-time
Shift
: Day Job
Job
Function
: Brand Management
Job
Level
: Individual
Contributor
Travel
: No
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