Innovation & Private Label Development Manager

Shell Mobility & Convenience - Timewise; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Shell Mobility & Convenience - Timewise is seeking an Innovation and Private Label Development Manager to lead the foodservice portfolio from concept to launch and optimization.

You will translate customer insights and market opportunities into profitable products, manage private label development across foodservice and CPG, and collaborate with culinary partners, suppliers, Marketing, and Operations to ensure launch readiness and strong shelf impact in Texas stores.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field is required.
• Proven experience in foodservice product innovation and portfolio management.
• Experience taking products from concept to launch with data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own the portfolio strategy and innovation roadmap across foods and beverages.
• Identify opportunities using insights, sales data, and benchmarks.
• Lead development with culinary partners and suppliers; set recipes and specs.
• Own private label briefs and development; align with Marketing and Category.
• Lead sensory testing and store pilots; validate demand and ROI.
• Deliver launch-ready specifications and coordinating with Operations and Marketing.
• Maintain quality standards and obtain required food safety approvals as needed.
• Review performance and scale or discontinue based on sales and margin.
• Manage priorities and approve pilot recommendations within budget.
• Escalate risks and secure approvals when standards unmet.

Skills

Portfolio management

Product innovation

Supplier collaboration

Education

Degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, or Business

Job description

#366

Houston, Texas, United States

Location(s)

1080 Eldridge Parkway, Houston , Texas 77077 , United States

Job Description

Company Overview

Welcome to Timewise, where great peoplepowergreat experiences! Shell Mobility & Convenience proudlyoperatesmore than 200 Timewise convenience stores and Shell fuel stations across Texas and New Mexico. As part of the Shell Group since 2022, we combine the strength of a global organization with a welcoming, team-oriented culture. We are committed to providing exceptional customer experiences while creating meaningful career growth opportunities for our employees.

Position Summary

The Innovation and Private Label Development Manager will beresponsible for leadingthe foodservice product portfolio and lifecycle, from concept through launch and optimization, while driving private label development across foodservice and consumer packaged goods. Translates customer insights and market opportunities into profitable, high-quality products that deliver customer value, strengthen brand standards, and support business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the portfolio strategy and innovation roadmap across prepared and packaged foods, coffee, and cold and frozen dispensed beverages; balance core products, seasonal offers and limited-time introductions by customer mission, daypart and store capability.
• Use customer insights, sales and margin analysis, store feedback and competitor benchmarks to identify opportunities; maintain a prioritized pipeline with clear business cases and launch criteria.
• Lead development with culinary partners, manufacturers and suppliers; define recipes or formulations, specifications, packaging, shelf life, target cost and customer value suited to grab-and-go convenience retail.
• Own private label product briefs and development across foodservice and CPG; agree brand positioning with Marketing and assortment fit with Category Management, and partner with Procurement on manufacturer selection and supply feasibility.
• Lead sensory and customer testing and store pilots; validate demand, taste, quality, waste, preparation time, equipment needs and commercial returns before recommending rollout.
• Deliver launch-ready product specifications, preparation and holding standards, packaging and training inputs; coordinate with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing and Category Management for reliable store execution.
• Maintain product quality standards and obtain required Food Safety, Quality and Legal approvals for specifications, allergens, labeling and claims before launch or material changes.
• Review portfolio performance and post-launch results; improve, scale or discontinue products based on sales, repeat purchase, margin after waste, customer response and operational fit. Capture lessons and apply them to the next development cycle.
• Own portfolio priorities, product briefs, specifications and pilot recommendations within approved strategy, budgets and delegated authority.
• Recommend launch, expansion, reformulation and discontinuation decisions with evidence and clear commercial and operational implications; obtain approvals required by company governance.
• Hold launch recommendations where product standards, pilot criteria or required approvals are unmet; elevate quality, supply or commercial risks to the accountable functions.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in foodservice product innovation and portfolio management, preferably in convenience retail or another high-volume, multi-site food business; private label CPG development experience strongly preferred.
• Track record of bringing products from concept to commercial launch and using performance evidence to improve or rationalize a portfolio.
• Working knowledge of recipe and specification development, sensory testing, packaging, shelf life and food safety requirements, supported by specialist teams.
• Strong commercial analysis, project management and supplier collaboration skills; ability to balance customer appeal, margin, waste, speed of service and store simplicity.

Work environment and physical requirements

Office-based role with store visits, supplier engagement and product trials. Travel, reporting arrangements and any physical requirements to be confirmed by Human Resources.

Position Type

Full time

undefined

EEO is the Law