Product Development Manager

Job Summary The Product Development Manager will lead the end-to-end development of new products and brand extensions—from concept through commercialization. They will identify market opportunities for both private label and co-branded opportunities, define requirements, manage development timelines, and deliver products that meet the unique needs of customers in the prison commissary market and Vistar's other channels. This role works cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance. Key Responsibilities Define and execute a multi-year private-label expansion strategy across food, beverage, hygiene, apparel, and general merchandise categories Lead the full product development lifecycle, including ideation, market assessment, business case development, design, testing, success metrics, launch, and post-launch optimization Collaborate with Sales to identify customer needs, market trends, and competitive gaps Ensure private-label products support organizational goals around affordability, margin improvement, supply continuity, and differentiation Conduct customer research, product testing, and validation to inform product decisions, both for new products and product extensions. Support Sales and Account Management in RFPs, renewals, and customer presentations. Regulatory, Compliance & Security Ensure all products comply with federal, state, and local correctional regulations, contractual requirements, and facility-specific policies Proactively assess and mitigate security risks related to packaging, ingredients, product use, and supply chain integrity Maintain awareness of evolving requirements related to the Corrections Channel and Vistar's other market channels. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field 4+ years of experience in product development, product management, and/ or a related role Proven experience managing products from concept to launch in a fast-paced environment. Strong project management, communication and organizational skills Ability to analyze market data and customer insights to guide product decisions Compensation $86,000 - $120,000 base salary + 30% annual incentive potential #J-18808-Ljbffr Vistar