Sr Product Developer - Food & Bev, Product Development & Sensory

Description Leads ideation, development, and commercialization of Private Brand Food and Beverage products. Partners cross-functionally with Sourcing, Regulatory, Nutrition, Quality, and Compliance teams to bring products to market that meet Whole Foods Market (WFM), Amazon, and regulatory standards. Key job responsibilities Ideation & Insights - Identify trending ingredients and products using market research, trend-mapping, category insights, competitor shops, and trend treks. - Research consumer trends and synthesize findings into actionable category insights. Formulation & Development - Lead product development, including comparisons against target products and sensory benchmarks. - Drive formulation development by identifying benchtop and/or retail gold standards. - Lead organoleptic evaluations and vendor sample comparisons. - Work with the sensory team to design and execute sensory testing to reduce evaluation bias. - Communicate sensory, nutritional, and quality parameters to vendors; provide feedback and reformulation requests. Launch & Production - Manage first production activities: send requirements, lead conference calls, and oversee vendor execution. - Evaluate first production samples against approved retains and issue approval/release decisions. - Attend first productions as needed. Quality & Compliance - Review and evaluate supplier-submitted product and formulation specifications; communicate findings to stakeholders promptly. - Collaborate with Product Safety and Quality teams on input and feedback. - Evaluate, validate, and finalize product preparation instructions where applicable. - Uphold WFM and Amazon quality and brand standards; resolve quality discrepancies with internal teams and vendors. Supplier & Cross-Functional Support - Help identify new co-packing partners and support co-packers in sourcing raw materials. - Visit suppliers to review capabilities and explore innovation opportunities. Other - Support special projects, including competitive product evaluations and rollout of new policies and technologies. - Perform other miscellaneous product development duties as necessary. A day in the life Part of the appeal of a Product Developer job is the varied activities from day to day and mix of desk work and hands on product work. A day in the life might include a specification review for a new product, a cutting, some competitive shopping, and a meeting with your cross-functional stakeholders who help develop products (Sourcing, Nutrition, Food Safety, Logistics, Packaging, Quality, Sensory, Project Manager). Basic Qualifications - Experience with strong project management skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment - Experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities - Experience working effectively across cross-functional teams and partnering well with people at all levels within an organization - 6-8 years of product development experience in CPG, grocery retail, or ingredient industries. - Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field - Willing and able to sample and evaluate all types of food. - Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with AI tools and writing prompts. - Available for occasional travel (<20%) to conferences, trade shows, vendor sites, and first productions. Preferred Qualifications - Experience developing natural and organic products. - Sensory evaluation background. - Genuine passion for food, beverage, and the culinary world. - Knowledge of nutrition/labeling (NFL) regulations as they relate to product development. - Familiarity with retailer web-based specification systems. - Usage of generative AI tools to enhance workflow efficiency, with a willingness to learn effective prompting and evaluation practices. - Ability to recognize opportunities where generative AI could enhance products, workflows, or customer experiences. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at . USA, TX, AUSTIN - 117,400.00 - 158,500.00 USD annually