Job Title: Product Development Manager

Location: United States (Candidates located in the Southern U.S. or open to relocation to the region are strongly encouraged to apply)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $70,000 – $100,000 Base

Position Overview

A growing regulated manufacturing organization is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead the development of new products from concept through commercialization. This role will oversee research and development activities, pilot production runs, and the transition of new products into full-scale manufacturing.

The ideal candidate combines technical expertise, product innovation, and strong operational execution to successfully develop and launch high-quality products in a regulated environment. Candidates with strong backgrounds in flavor development, culinary creation, beverage formulation, or craft production are also encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Product Innovation

● Participate in product strategy discussions and contribute new product ideas based on market trends, consumer needs, and internal capabilities.

● Evaluate feasibility of proposed products and support development of product specifications and development plans.

● Identify equipment and process requirements needed for new products and manufacturing processes.

● Contribute to the development of new flavors, product formats, and sensory experiences.

Research & Development

● Lead product R&D activities from concept through proof-of-concept and pilot development.

● Plan and execute laboratory tests, development batches, and pilot production runs.

● Analyze test results and adjust formulations or processes to ensure quality, consistency, and manufacturability.

● Document product specifications, testing results, and development data.

● Collaborate with manufacturing leadership to transition products from development into commercial production.

SOP Development & Process Documentation

● Develop detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new products and manufacturing processes.

● Ensure documentation aligns with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

● Support training and implementation of procedures with operations teams.

Product Launch & Production Support

● Oversee initial production batches to ensure correct execution of processes and specifications.

● Support troubleshooting, process optimization, and scalability improvements.

● Partner with quality teams to confirm products meet all safety and quality requirements.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, Engineering, Culinary Science, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).

● 3+ years of experience in product development, R&D, culinary innovation, beverage formulation, or manufacturing environments.

● Experience working in regulated industries such as consumer packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, or similar production environments is preferred but not required.

● Strong understanding of flavor development, formulation, product experimentation, or recipe development.

● Experience writing SOPs or documenting processes in structured environments is a plus.

● Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Additional Information

Candidates must be able to pass any required background checks or regulatory screenings applicable to employment within regulated manufacturing environments.

About Vangst

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