Project Manager - New Product Development

Job Position: Project Manager – New Product Development.

Target Pay Range: $80,000-$85,000/year , depending on level of relevant experience and qualifications

Employment Classification: Full-Time

Position Location: Onsite; Vernon, CA

About us:

Headquartered in Vernon, CA, we are a premium full spectrum manufacturer and distributor of fine food products. Family owned and operated since 1977, our Company offers more than 4,000 products to a variety of customers in both the foodservice and retail channels. We are committed to providing the highest quality food products with an unrelenting commitment to fresh, nutritious ingredients and promotion of eco-friendly business practices.

We are seeking a dynamic Project Manager – New Product Development to lead and coordinate product innovation initiatives from concept to launch. This role will be responsible for managing cross-functional teams, collaborating with internal and external manufacturing partners, and ensuring successful product launches within the food manufacturing space. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product development, project management, and commercialization while ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and business objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Product Development & Launch:

• Lead end-to-end product development from ideation through launch, ensuring feasibility, scalability, and profitability.
• Collaborate with R&D, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Quality Assurance, and Operations teams to drive innovation and successful product launches.
• Develop and manage project timelines and deliverables to ensure timely execution.
• Work with internal and external partners to troubleshoot technical challenges in formulation, processing, and packaging.

Manufacturing & Supplier Management:

• Collaborate with internal manufacturing teams, external manufacturers, and suppliers to support product development and production needs.
• Coordinate product scale-up, production trials, and quality requirements with internal and external manufacturing partners.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Act as the central point of contact between R&D, Operations, Procurement, Sales, Quality, and external partners to streamline project execution.
• Coordinate plant trials, first production runs, and validation testing with internal teams and co-packers.
• Provide regular project updates to leadership, highlighting risks, timelines, and key milestones.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness throughout the product development and commercialization process.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure all new products meet regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, GFSI, etc.) and company quality standards.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance and Regulatory teams to manage ingredient approvals, labeling compliance, and food safety documentation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, Food Technology, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in food product development, commercialization, food manufacturing or related project management.
• Strong understanding of food formulation, ingredient functionality, and processing methods.
• Experience working with co-packers, suppliers, and production teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools (Smartsheet, Monday.com, or similar).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to evolving business needs.
• PMP certification is a plus.

Benefits Overview:

• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401k

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our mission. We believe diverse perspectives make us stronger, and we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.