Director of New Product Development
Saint John, NB
Director of New Product Development
As a global seafood company, we have operations in North America, Europe, South America, and Australia. Our company’s success is driven by our dynamic, highly skilled, and innovative management team, supported by dedicated employees who live in coastal communities and contribute to the local area’s economy and sense of community.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing, the director will lead company wide product development and completion of all NPD commercial research and development projects. This role plays a key role in driving the acceleration, ideation, design, development, and launch of all new products.
Key functions
- Lead the innovation and development process for products that complement and align with the company's strategic goals and initiatives.
- Ensure that business objectives are set for Product Ideation, Design, and Development.
- Cultivate an innovative work environment.
- Demonstrate solutions and capabilities as a thought leader.
- Collaborate with Sales & Marketing and other cross-functional teams to deliver an innovation roadmap for new products.
- Accountable for resource planning, optimal product development lifecycle, program management, and asset management.
- Work collaboratively with sales/marketing to bring products from ideation to market.
- Establish performance metrics and drive accountability to deliver on established time standards and project milestones.
- Establish a continuous improvement mindset within the Department, to deliver innovative and quality products to the existing product portfolio.
- Ensure that the Department is positioned to continually learn about, or create its own product or process innovations that will lead to commercial success.
- Participate in assessments for business development opportunities, drive partnerships and collaboration to create new capabilities across the organization.
- Proactively identify and mitigate issues and challenges, optimize key processes, development tools, techniques, and capabilities.
- Ensure accuracy and completeness of SOP documentation preparation.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Food Science
- 10+ years progressive experience in a food manufacturing or retail environment
- 5+ years in a leadership role
- Experience in research and development and product development - specifically in the food industry.
- Course work and experience in Product Lifecycle Management
- In-depth knowledge of a broad range of products, ingredients, and processing methods.
- Expertise in sensory evaluation of foods.
- Excellent computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams).
- Excellent communication and math skills.
We Offer
- Full-time year round employment
- Competitive rates
- Excellent benefits package
- Health and dental coverage
- Company matched pension.
Why Work Here?
Why work here? Simple - because we are a company that rewards initiative, resourcefulness, and work ethic. We will champion your growth and provide you with the platform to create your path, your career, and your future.
The role description is just one part of the story. This is an opportunity to grow, to stretch, to work within the parameters of the role but stretch to your fullest potential. We are a team that counts performance, we reward contribution, and we recognize talent. It is about being at the center of the fastest growing company in Atlantic Canada and knowing you are part of that growth.
