Product Development and Renovation Manager

Summary

Join Nature's Way as their Product Development and Renovation Manager and play a critical role in developing new products and improving existing ones. This position involves feasibility studies, packaging and process development, and technical leadership. You will manage projects from start to finish, including pilot plant activities and commercialization. The role requires strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, along with expertise in dietary supplements. This position is approximately 50% on-site at the Green Bay, WI headquarters and includes a relocation bonus and benefits effective day one.

Requirements

• Expertise with MS Office software (Excel, Outlook, Word, and Power Point)
• Work and move freely and safely around manufacturing processes and equipment
• Ability to develop an appropriate learning plan and technical timeline; time management skills to stay on track
• Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Located in or nearby Green Bay, WI
• 5+ years of relevant experience with BS degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or closely related field is required

Responsibilities

• Manage the workload and priorities for product renovation and development for various dietary supplements products in different dosage forms, including gummies, capsules, tablets, liquids and other novel dosage forms
• Develop new, improved, and line extended products within the dietary supplement category as assigned
• Define processing parameters needed to take these products from bench through commercially scaled production stages. Final execution will include the definition of quality control, packaging, stability/shelf life and distribution requirements
• Develop or lead the development for improved quality dimensions of dietary supplements such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition
• Serve as technical project leader on all assigned projects and assist other stakeholders including sales, marketing, quality and manufacturing teams to achieve the stated strategic and commercial outcomes
• Lead communication efforts with vendors, purchasing, process engineers, quality control, packaging and marketing specialists inside the company as well as externally as required to resolve issues on new and existing products
• Provide management of all aspects of the development process for assigned projects from start to finish. This provision includes the ability to set up and run an effective pilot as may be required for assigned projects
• Support Operations and Quality in problem solving formula processing issues, stability requirements for label claims, and process equipment issues adjustments, along with establishing requirements for development of new capabilities
• Have mastery of assigned product forms and formats in VMS dietary supplement industry. Expertise in development and commercialization of products in fast paced timeline for both in-house manufacturing and external manufacturing settings
• Ability to properly document and report experiments, results, conclusions, recommendations, and development progress with cross functional team and business leaders
• As needed, provide technical and process support to other operational departments with respect to needed existing item/process improvement and optimization
• This position will require supervisor responsibilities. Such supervision may apply to Food Scientists, bench technicians, and/or summer interns, as well as the initial training of new associates

Preferred Qualifications

Dietary supplement and/or food/beverage nutritional product experience is strongly preferred

Benefits

• Relocation Bonus
• All benefits are effective on day ONE of your employment!
• Medical: Option to select either a PPO plan or one of 2 high – deductible medical plans that includes a company contribution to your personal health savings bank account
• Dental: Delta Dental PPO & an option to select an enhanced dental plan
• Vision: Routine preventative coverage under medical plan and an option to elect additional voluntary coverage
• Time Off: All employees receive 11 holidays off per year, as well as paid time off that starts at a minimum of two weeks per year
• 401K Plan: Company match of up to 4% as long as employees contribute a minimum of 6% to the account. An additional profit-sharing contribution is also made to employee accounts if the company meets its annual targets
• Company provided short-term & long-term disability
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Voluntary critical illness & accident coverage
• New parent phase-in program & paternity leave
• Educational assistance reimbursement
• Product discounts & a wellness program
• Free Fitness Center