*THIS IS NOT A JOB AT FORCEBRANDS*

POSITION SUMMARY

As a strategic, collaborative, and hands-on leader, the New Product Development Manager will be responsible for driving new product development using our stage gate process beginning with discovery and including scoping, development, and validation of the product proposition prior to full scale up and commercialization. This leader would work closely with co-manufactures, including identifying them, vetting and serving as the liaison throughout the product development of bringing new branded products to market. The New Product Development Manager would also manage all market and consumer research associated with the development of new products. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong project management skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead cross-functional teams throughout the product development lifecycle—from concept to commercialization hand-off—using a structured stage-gate process
• Develop and manage project briefs, product design requirements, and technical documentation for new product platforms
• Collaborate with R&D, marketing, operations, and finance to ensure alignment on product strategy, feasibility, and profitability
• Identify and qualify co-manufacturers; manage relationships through product development, trials, scale-up, and launch
• Collaborate with the cross-functional team to build new product P&Ls and creatively problem solve financial challenges to ensure P&L targets are achieved
• Design and execute consumer learning plans including qualitative and quantitative research (e.g., focus groups, shop-alongs, need-state studies) to uncover unmet needs and validate product-market fit.
• Lead concept testing and product validation through tools like TURF analysis, Van Westendorp pricing, and sensory CLTs to ensure product execution aligns with consumer expectations
• Translate consumer insights into actionable product strategies, informing product positioning, packaging, and communication plans
• Monitor market trends, consumer insights, and competitive activity to inform innovation strategy
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Marketing, Business Administration or related field required; MBA preferred
• 8-10 years’ experience within food/beverage industry or within an innovation agency/consultancy environment required; natural products experience preferred
• Experience with the principles of innovation, marketing, consumer insights, co-manufacturing partnership, business/brand strategy, and P&L management.
• Self-starter with a demonstrated comfort with extreme uncertainty
• Strategic thinker with executional knowhow – can define a clear strategy based on insights and analytics, then bring it to life via hands-on execution
• Able to manage multiple projects/tasks of varying complexities through effective time management
• Able to travel up to 25% to support business needs