About the position
As a Mattson Senior Group Manager of Product Development, you’ll be working on Product Development & Commercialization Management. You will manage one or more teams of professionals (product developers, commercialization experts, and support staff) to create new products across multiple product categories and throughout all phases of product development – from initial bench development to commercial launch, while considering critical technical issues such as food safety, food stability, shelf-life, scalability, cost, nutritional and ingredient guidelines, etc. You will be responsible for staffing plans, managing resources for your area of responsibility, recommending hiring, promotion, and reward decisions within the group. You will provide guidance, coaching, and training to team members and other employees within the job function. Additionally, you will participate in special projects, as needed, to support the PD function and/or Mattson team. Your role will include hands-on execution of client initiatives, developing products, closely guiding team members on the bench, participating in ideations or Food Studio sessions, and assisting with client meetings. You will master benchtop processes and work with Commercialization Managers to scale up products, assist with commercialization trials, and understand culinary principles to apply them to technical development. You will write and review technical and project status reports, protocols, finished product specifications, plant trial protocol/summary documents, shelf life studies, etc. Utilizing your experience and problem-solving skills, you will solve complex technical challenges related to the development, manufacturing, and/or improvement of food products and processes and make appropriate technical recommendations. Your work will be highly diverse in scope, managing multiple priorities and timelines, using strong technical, problem-solving, and leadership skills to approach complex projects. You will communicate internally across the company and externally (with clients, suppliers, etc.) to exchange technical information throughout project phases and actively present or participate in external communication in professional organizations (conferences, articles, etc). You will apply a deep understanding of project needs and what clients are looking for to help WOW our clients, stepping in for Client Managers to maintain client relationships and fulfill duties, as needed, due to your broader understanding of business and client needs.
Responsibilities
- Manage one or more teams of professionals to create new products across multiple product categories.
- Oversee all phases of product development from initial bench development to commercial launch.
- Consider critical technical issues such as food safety, food stability, shelf-life, scalability, cost, nutritional and ingredient guidelines.
- Develop staffing plans and manage resources for the area of responsibility.
- Provide guidance, coaching, and training to team members.
- Participate in special projects to support the PD function.
- Execute client initiatives, including developing products and guiding team members.
- Master benchtop processes and work with Commercialization Managers to scale up products.
- Write and review technical and project status reports, protocols, and specifications.
- Solve complex technical challenges related to food product development and processes.
- Communicate internally and externally to exchange technical information.
- Present or participate in external communication in professional organizations.
Requirements
- B.S. or M.S in Food Science or related discipline.
- 15+ years of food and/or beverage product development with commercialization experience.
- Demonstration of leadership ability through organization of small teams or projects.
- Direct people management experience, especially coaching new team members.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally.
- High integrity and commitment with a strong work ethic.
- Ability to lift 30 to 40 lb.
Nice-to-haves
- Knowledge of Google Sheets, Docs, Slides and ESHA Genesis program.
- Committed to personal and professional growth and to the success of the company, clients, and fellow employees.
Benefits
- 401K
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Participation in ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) for profit-sharing.
- Outstanding breakfast and lunch served fresh every Monday-Friday.
