Director, New Product Development

Monster Energy; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a New Product Development Director to spearhead the technical formulation management of innovative beverage products. This pivotal role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure successful product commercialization while optimizing costs and enhancing productivity. The ideal candidate will boast extensive experience in operations, technical service, and project management within the beverage or food sectors. If you're passionate about driving innovation and leading a dynamic team, this exciting opportunity awaits you.

Qualifications

• 20+ years in Operations or Technical Service in beverage or food sectors.
• 5+ years in Project Management and team supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical formulation management for global product launches.
• Optimize ingredient and formula cost structure for new products.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Team Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Food Engineering

Master's or MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

PLM

SAP

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The New Product Development Director is responsible for the development and change management of Monster Energy beverage formula and kit systems to guarantee profitability targets and speed to market. The role will lead and navigate prioritization and deep dive efforts on behalf of the technical formula team in close collaboration with the program managers. The prioritization will be managed based on an understanding of technical complexities, flavor-house resources vs commercial commitments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The NPD Director will act as key contributor as part of the Technical Formulation Management (TFM) process with internal cross functional teams, flavor houses, vendors, and manufacturing sites for global MEC commercialization agenda. The NPD Director will:

• Be accountable for technical program / project scoping and chartering, in addition to developing formula optimization strategy for new product commercialization and technical business case for productivity opportunities, both cost saving and cost avoidance.
• Lead the team on current ingredient and formula analysis (Charter+) for productivity programs.
• Partner with external and internal teams in optimizing ingredient and formula cost structure as part of technical commercialization strategy of new products.
• Accountable for managing the ability of providing kits/ optimized raw materials in a timely manner that fits MEC R&D budgets for global product and kit platforms based on specifications provided in stage 0.
• Oversee the team’s project activities, resource utilization and document management to meet timeline.
• Lead, develop, and train the team on global formulation related activities.
• Manage in-house knowledge base of products and process parameters of MEC portfolio of beverages to enable a global approach for commercialization based on collected efforts of internal and external cross functional teams.

Technical Formulation Accountabilities:

Global new product launches – technical commercialization strategy:

• Act as the main liaison with EMEA and APAC NPD Director to manage prioritization of proactive requests in stage 0.
• Collaborate in stage 0 to align on prioritization with the ingredient development director and formula program governance team to ensure proper intake and feasibility.
• Accountable for product scoping and technical chartering activities as part of stage 0 and 1 in Stage Gate process for global innovation and adaptation programs, including ingredient commercialization, lead time and shelf- life management, and kit transaction schemes.
• Lead all global formulation initiatives with flavor houses and vendors once Development briefs have been provided.
• Provide leadership and support Formulation team on formula optimization, kit configuration and ingredient unitization.
• Review and approve all formulas to assure proficiency & accuracy.
• Review and approve finalized formula and kit cost and collaborate with Network Planning team on overall product cost development.

Cost saving / Ingredient Optimization Accountabilities:

• Partner with Procurement and regional NPD directors to identify cost saving, cost avoidance and Supply Chain continuity opportunities. Prepare project proposals / technical business cases & present to SLT team at Stage Gate Process.
• Provide leadership to the Formulation team on the ingredient and formula analysis and assessment as part of technical chartering process.
• Lead the development of annual global strategic programs and initiatives with vetted technical development plan, potential cost saving and time to market in collaboration with vendors, flavor house and internal cross functional team.
• Lead ingredient & kit optimization programs to meet cost target for strategic & affordable brands.
• Act as global SME for MEC formulation management.

Business Process Improvement:

• Develop best practices, processes, and protocols for Formulation team.
• Participate in developing business processes of TFM function specifically and NPD team overall.

Team Development and Management:

• Responsible for the Formulation team’s resource to ensure proper allocation for project execution.
• Manage and develop the team. Responsible for their performance review and future career development.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Experience:

• Minimum 20 years of experience in a fast-paced environment of Operations, Engineering or Technical Service for a beverage, food, or dietary supplement manufacturer.
• 5 years of Project Management experience is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of direct supervision / team management. Proven experience with people management and training.
• Experience in formulation, kit / concentrate set-up for beverage systems preferred.

Education, Certification, Licenses & Registrations:

Bachelor of Science in Food, Chemical, Processing Engineering. MS or MBA is preferred.

Skills:

• Must have strong strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Must have analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must have a competitive mindset and winning attitude.
• Must have proven track record of team leadership and to be able to manage and develop junior team members.
• Must be team-oriented and willing to work collaboratively.
• Must have a sense of urgency and have demonstrated initiative and desire to work in a dynamic work environment with multiple demands.
• Must be a self-starter, a good communicator.

Travel: Up to 25%, including international.

Computer Skills: including Microsoft Office applications, PLM, and SAP.

BASE PAY RANGE: $143,000 - $191,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.