Product Development Specialist

Hello, potential PriceSmart candidate. We’re on a mission to hire the very best, and are committed to creating exceptional employee experiences where everyone is respected and has access to equal opportunity. We realize the greatest contributions to the company can come from anywhere in the organization, and we know that the next one could be yours! We are looking for a Merchandising Product Development Specialist who will support the Buying Other Business team; responsible for the creation, development, and continuous improvement of products for the Prepared Foods and Food Service departments, ensuring the positioning of innovative and competitive products in the market. This position requires strong technical knowledge and culinary skills to develop products that respond to current market trends, comply with food safety standards, and contribute to the expansion of PriceSmart in the region. What's unique about this job (What you’ll do) Design and adjust recipes and processes that can be scaled operationally across all clubs. Develop new formulations and prepared foods, including flavors, textures, and presentations in different packaging formats. Conduct sensory evaluations and gather consumer feedback to improve products. Train and support clubs, promoting collaboration, teamwork, and operational excellence. Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of PriceSmart. Develop in-and-out programs to enrich the Fresh Kitchen and Prepared Foods categories. Promote and maintain a collaborative and effective working relationship between the Purchasing team and club operations, ensuring smooth, results‑oriented coordination. Oversee proper product execution and performance in the clubs, identifying opportunities for operational improvement and training needs to strengthen local team capabilities. Ensure continuous updating and accurate management of recipe technical information, as well as the development and maintenance of materials and visual aids that support standardization and proper implementation across the clubs. Bring your passion and expertise (Who you are) University degree in Gastronomy, Culinary Management, or related fields within the food industry, preferably at a bachelor’s level. Proven experience in product development, food innovation, menu and operational process management. Additional training in food product development and innovation, formulation, or process improvement. Strong knowledge and certifiable training in food safety and hygiene, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP systems. Minimum of five years of experience in similar roles, preferably in food production, processing, or standardization environments. Service‑oriented mindset and proactive attitude, with a strong focus on quality, continuous improvement, and member satisfaction. Proficiency in computer tools and enterprise operating systems, including Windows environments and management platforms such as AS400. Bilingual: Spanish and English. Effective communication skills, teamwork ability, and basic leadership competencies. Benefits & Perks – We take care of our people Beyond competitive pay Medical, Dental and Vision plans Employee Assistance Program Education Assistance Program 401K Contributions Life Insurance LTD PriceSmart Membership Card Pet Insurance Calm Meditation App BenefitsHub for Employee Discounts Fun events – Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday Employee recognition Supportive, nurturing environment with many opportunities for learning and growth Our Commitment We not only embrace and celebrate the diversity of our membership base and communities, but also strive to achieve the same in our employees. At PriceSmart, we are committed to equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or any other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr