Product Development Manager

Vaco; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a seasoned Food Product Developer/Leader to drive development from concept to commercialization in meat, frozen and shelf-stable categories. You will mentor R&D teams and coordinate cross-functional plans to meet timelines, quality and budget targets.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong regulatory knowledge, and proficiency with PLM platforms and Microsoft Office; you will manage multiple projects with cross-functional teams across Manufacturing, QA,

Qualifications

• 5+ years in progressive food product development within manufacturing.
• 1–2+ years in leading Food Science/R&D teams.
• Experience with meat, frozen, ready-to-eat, shelf-stable products.

Responsibilities

• Lead development from concept through pilot, scale-up, and commercialization; provide post-launch support.
• Collaborate with Operations, QA, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing to ensure successful product launches.

Skills

Leadership

Food formulation

Meat products

Frozen foods

Process troubleshooting

Project management

Regulatory compliance

FDA/USDA knowledge

PLM tools

Microsoft Office

Tools

PLM software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• 5-6+ years of progressive food product development and formulation experience within the food manufacturing industry.
• 1-2+ years of leadership experience managing, mentoring, and developing Food Scientists, R&D professionals, or technical product development teams.
• Proven expertise in the development and commercialization of meat products, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, shelf-stable foods, and/or military ration products.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, thermal processing, preservation methods, shelf-life extension, and sensory evaluation.
• Hands-on experience leading product development from concept through pilot production, scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch support.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple development projects simultaneously while meeting timelines, quality standards, and budget objectives.
• Working knowledge of USDA, FDA, FSMA, HACCP, GMP, and food safety regulations within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience conducting plant trials, process validations, and troubleshooting formulation and production-related issues.
• Strong understanding of nutritional labeling, product specifications, ingredient statements, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Operations, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with formulation management systems, product lifecycle management (PLM) tools, and Microsoft Office application.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.