Head of Product Development

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.; Lakeville (MA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company is looking for a Head of Product Development to lead innovative projects and manage cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate should have over 15 years of experience in the CPG industry, with strong leadership and communication skills. This hybrid role based in Massachusetts offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits that prioritize health and well-being.

Benefits

Complete insurance package

401(k) with company matching

Flexible scheduling options

Tuition assistance programs

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• 15+ years in CPG industry experience with 5+ years managing teams.
• Proven ability to work across departments and influence org-wide decisions.
• Understanding of food science and nutrition applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead Product Development and cross-functional teams.
• Drive global growth initiatives across markets.
• Ensure quality and speed in product execution.
• Foster a collaborative team culture.

Skills

Leadership in product development

Strong communication skills

Innovation driven

Collaboration

Education

MS and/or PhD in Food Science or Food Engineering

Job description

Position Location: We\'re flexible. This will be a hybrid role based out of our corporate headquarters in Lakeville, MA or our Seaport Boston, MA location with Mondays and Fridays remote.

Are you a visionary product creator who thrives at the intersection of innovation, collaboration, and consumer insight? Do you have the passion to turn bold ideas into breakthrough products that delight consumers and drive growth? If you\'re energized by translating consumer needs and marketing strategies into tangible, scalable solutions—and love rolling up your sleeves to bring imagination to life—this is the role for you.

At Ocean Spray, the Head of Product Development leads our Product Development, Culinary, and Sensory teams in creating transformative food and beverage innovations. This role is central to driving top-line growth across global categories, including Beverages, Foods, Ingredients and new verticals for Ocean Spray. You\'ll also play a key role in optimizing bottom-line performance through strategic formula design and ingredient sourcing across USA, International, and Ingredient business units.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with a deep passion for product development and culinary arts, grounded in science and nutrition. You\'ll inspire cross-functional teams, champion agile development, and foster a sprint mentality to accelerate innovation from concept to commercialization. You bring a strong external lens, leveraging open innovation and strategic partnerships to enhance speed to market. Exceptional communication skills and a consumer-first mindset are essential.

A Day in the Life...

• Lead a Cross-Functional Technical Organization: Oversee Product Development (Beverage, Food, Licensing and Breakthrough Innovation), Culinary Sciences, and Sensory teams to deliver innovation with excellence and agility.
• Drive Global Growth Initiatives: Guide development teams in executing key initiatives that fuel top-line and bottom-line growth across global markets.
• Champion Executional Excellence: Ensure flawless execution from benchtop prototyping through to full-scale manufacturing, maintaining quality, consistency, and speed.
• Foster a Collaborative Culture: Build and nurture a high-performing, inclusive team environment that encourages creativity, accountability, and shared success.
• Collaborate Cross Functionally: Effectively collaborate to drive results, strategy and prioritization with cross functional teams such as Process Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Emerging Science & Nutrition, Regulatory Compliance, Food Safety & Quality, Marketing & Marketing Insights, Sales, PMO, Supply Chain & Procurement, Customer Affairs and Finance.
• Serve as Strategic R&D Partner: Act as the primary R&D liaison and thought partner for Beverage and Ingredients Business Units, contributing to strategic planning and innovation roadmaps.
• Deliver Financial and Operational Results: Ensure alignment with budget forecasts and manage resource deployment across Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and Long-Range Plan (LRP) priorities.
• Leverage External Innovation Ecosystems: Identify and engage external partners and resources to accelerate initiatives through open innovation and enhanced speed to market.
• Integrate Culinary, Science, and Technology: Drive product designs that blend culinary artistry with advanced technology, engineering, science, and nutrition to create differentiated consumer experiences.

What We Are Looking For:

• Education: MS and/or PhD in Food Science or Food Engineering or related field
• Experience: 15+ years in CPG industry experience with 5+ years managing teams
• Cross Functional Work: Proven ability to work across departments and influence org-wide decisions
• Strategic Impact: Experience in shaping business or functional strategy
• Technical: Understanding of the application of food science and nutrition to food and beverage products

Education: Master\'s Degree (Required)

Work Experience: At least 15 Years of Experience

Annual Salary: $160,800 - $232,760

The base salary range information above serves as a guideline of the position\'s typical hiring range. We value and appreciate what makes you unique and will consider a variety of factors when determining an offer. These factors include, but are not limited to, your skills and experience, external and internal benchmarks, as well as overall company considerations. Certain positions may be eligible for short-term and long-term incentive rewards. We also offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being.

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Life and accident insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Telehealth services
• 1:1 health coaching
• Supportive benefits for all stages of your life
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
• Flexible scheduling options
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Tuition/Education assistance programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Scholarship programs for children of employees
• Parental leave
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions - Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance
• Bereavement leave
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee discounts
• Charitable giving

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what\'s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future. Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike—we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• Grower Mindset - We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable Results - Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• Integrity Above All - We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive Teamwork - We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

For MA Applicants - It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Any employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.