Product Development Specialist

Come join a growing team! FOODMatch is searching for a Product Development Specialist to join our Sourcing team.

The full job description covers all associated skills, previous experience, and any qualifications that applicants are expected to have.

Founded in 1996, FOODMatch is a producer and importer of Mediterranean specialty foods with a distinct expertise in traditionally and responsibly crafted olives, antipasti, spreads, sauces, and ingredients. FOODMatch plays an integral role in ensuring the quality of our products. The FOODMatch difference begins in the fields and groves. We are vertically integrated with our partners to ensure that each step along the production chain is completed to meticulous standards: from irrigation and pruning, to harvesting, sorting and stuffing by hand, to expertly curing and preserving, we ensure each ingredient delivers its natural flavor, color, and texture. Simply put, no detail is spared.

Through the hands of our growers we create great tasting, responsibly produced, authentic foods that nurture community and enhance your quality of life.

Job Responsibilities

Project Coordination

• Coordinate Retail, Private Label, and Club Store projects from initial customer request through commercialization and full-scale production.
• Gather, organize, and maintain project information, including customer requirements, product specifications, timelines, samples, pricing inputs, and supporting documentation.
• Support the development and renovation of products and formulas requested by Corporate Sales, Management, Customers, and internal ideation initiatives.
• Assist in coordinating communication between internal departments, including Quality, Finance, Marketing, Purchasing, Sales, Operations, and Product Development.
• Work with existing suppliers and assist in identifying new manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and vendors for current and new FOODMatch products.
• Support project launches by helping cross-functional teams complete required tasks, documentation, approvals, and deliverables.
• Maintain and update project launch timelines to help ensure milestones, deadlines, and customer requirements are met.
• Track, organize, receive, log, and distribute new product samples, ensuring accurate documentation and timely communication with relevant departments.
• Maintain project databases, reference documents, sample logs, and shared files to ensure project information remains current and accessible.
• Assist with vendor scheduling, sample coordination, and planning of approved product deliverables for customer meetings, internal reviews, and industry trade shows.
• Help develop and update internal processes, forms, and operating procedures to improve project organization and workflow efficiency.
• Assist with other duties, projects, and responsibilities as directed by Management, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness to departmental and business needs.

New Product Development Support

• Support innovation and new product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Assist with research on product concepts, market trends, competitive products, ingredients, packaging, and potential vendor capabilities.
• Support recipe development, product prototype coordination, and sensory evaluation activities.
• Assist in tracking prototype submissions, feedback, revisions, and approvals with vendors, internal teams, and customers.
• Coordinate with vendors to request, evaluate, modify, and monitor product samples based on internal and customer requirements.
• Help ensure new product samples and supporting documentation align with brand standards, quality expectations, and project objectives.
• Assist with sourcing, testing, and validating new ingredients, materials, packaging, and processes needed for customized product development.
• Prepare and maintain project status updates, meeting notes, action items, and follow-up communications for Product Development, Product Evaluation, and Private Label projects.
• Assist with cost model inputs, basic cost comparisons and analysis, product transition planning, contingency tracking, market research, and annual reporting as needed.
• Attend food shows, vendor meetings, and industry seminars as needed to support research on trends, innovation, and prospective suppliers.
• Support Innovation Customer Meetings alongside Sales Directors and Product Development team members by preparing materials, samples, project notes, and follow-up items.
• Receive, open, track, log, and route product samples while ensuring accurate documentation and timeline communication with relevant departments.
• Assist with additional administrative, project, or operational tasks as assigned by Management.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of professional experience in food product development, project coordination, project management support, or a related food industry role.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• Basic understanding of FDA regulations, food safety requirements, FSMA, and FSVP preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Office, Outlook, SharePoint, Adobe, and Navision preferred.
• Basic knowledge of quality control, cost models, label compliance, purchasing, and supplier documentation preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, organize details, and follow up on deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing business priorities and support urgent project needs.
• Resourceful, persistent, and comfortable taking initiative to move projects forward and resolve issues.

Skills

• Ability to coordinate with key stakeholders, including vendors, customers, Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Product Development.
• Strong cross-functional team player with a collaborative and service-oriented approach.
• Ability to track project requirements, communicate updates, and help move projects through established timelines.
• Interest in food trends, product innovation, recipe development, and culinary applications.
• Comfortable learning new systems, databases, and internal software programs.
• Strong follow-up skills and ability to maintain accurate records, sample logs, and project documentation. xhyhwjd
• Cultural awareness and ability to work effectively with diverse vendors, customers, and internal teams.
• Confident communicator who can partner effectively with Sales, ask clear questions, provide timely updates, and follow through on next steps