Product Development Specialist

Product Development Specialist

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow. At Nestlé USA, we're all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers' lives. Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. This is a hybrid position that requires being onsite Tuesday-Thursday in Solon, OH, or Arlington, VA. There is no relcation assistance provided for this role. Baking skills are preferred, but not required.

POSITION SUMMARY: Does working in product development to enable business goals while leveraging your experience to solve problems, propose optimization solutions, and create new and robust products sound interesting and engaging to you? Join our product development team, known as the Technical Applications Group (TAG)! You will work across multiple product brands in the world's largest Food Company. We are looking for someone with a growth mind-set that is willing to leverage their experience learning new products, systems, and solutions. What does this mean for you? You will lead recipe creation, re-formulation, rapid prototyping, and management of vendor relationships/interactions. You will work hands-on with our Pilot Plants, Factories (Internal/External), and Manufacturing facilities to deliver on Innovation & Renovation (I&R) business objectives. You will help to build consumer insights and be the face of our products in cross-functional settings with representatives from Marketing, Sales, and Finance.

How does your role fit into the broader organization? This is a critical role within TAG that drives product development, commercialization, optimization, and renovation. Our business is focused on speed, agility, courage, and collaboration. We are in the midst of a culture shift where we are consumer obsessed and see our consumers as our True North. Come be part of our team to help us win in the market. How will you interface across departments? The TAG Product Development Specialist is a leader who collaborates with cross-functional groups and external partners to communicate product and process capabilities. Want to flex and develop your leadership and influencing skills? You will have the opportunity to communicate technical product and process challenges, their impact, and creative solutions. Your mission will be to influence team decisions and lead implementation of product launches.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implementation of Innovation & Renovation strategy for the supported product categories in the market. Leverage technical experience to develop, implement, and execute creative product/process development activities (e.g. bench top, pilot plant, and internal/external factory) to achieve project goals and deadlines to delight the consumer.
• Introduction of new products and processes within factories. Collaborate and influence internal and external project teams (Teams are made up of R&D, Product Developers, Project Managers, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering, Packaging, Factories, Marketing, Co-Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain, etc.) to develop, industrialize, and launch Innovation and Renovation projects.
• Continuously improve/optimize current products and processes within factories according to local business needs and supply situation and/or implementation of initiatives. Lead technical projects including technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings.
• Ensure adherence to all products, processes, materials standards. Comply with Nestlé requirements (includes 60/40+), external standards, and local regulatory framework. Identify, influence, and lead the development of the product and process standards within the Nestlé systems.
• Continuous improvement of technical skills and personal development, while being a proactive affiliate member of a Nestlé Expert Network and/or external networks. Acts as an ambassador for Nestle USA TAG when representing globally or externally.
• Develop expertise for product and process mastership within TAG Assist in the development of competencies and training materials required for product/process mastership to enable manufacturing excellence. This includes knowledge and formula expertise in both product and process. Helps to build capability and process mastery within the factory and TAG.
• Provide first line support to factories. Especially in the areas of ingredient, recipe and processing to ensure consistent production of high-quality products for the consumer.

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL:

• A BS or MS degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering.
• Position requires approximately 25- 35% travel.

EXPERIENCE:

• Prefer minimum 3 years of product or process development experience in CPG or related field.
• Seeking experience in bakery, confectionery, baking science, cereal science / chemistry, and food science.
• Prefer experience in development of bakery, cookies, and/or chocolate and confectionary items.
• Hands-on baking skills are preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Ability to work in a fast paced and high performing environment with autonomy.
• Organizational skills & ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, Project Management Skills and Capabilities.
• Communication skills: interpersonal, presentation, oral and written, strong networking and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly motivated, critical thinker, goal oriented and easily adapts to change and manages through ambiguity.
• Experience/knowledge and practical application of HACCP and Quality/Food Safety Requirements.
• Problem Solving Skills (Go See Think Do, DMAIC experience).
• Business acumen including an understanding of the businesses where project work is occurring.
• Understanding of the consumer and an ability to focus work with the consumer in mind.
• Computer Skills: SAP, Recipe Management Systems, Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Power Point, Word, Access, Sharepoint, Teams.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace. To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home. The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: View phone number on click.appcast.io. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Review our applicant privacy notice before applying at Job Requisition: 402072