Product Development Manager

TekWissen ®; Warrendale (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

TekWissen is seeking a research-based Food Product Development role in Warrendale, PA. The candidate will lead bench-top experiments, evaluate ingredients, and support development and commercialization of new and improved products in the Condiments and Sauces unit.

Strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal guidance are essential. Responsibilities include testing flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, shelf-life, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Food Science, Dairy Science, Meat Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3–4 years of real world product development experience.
• Strong benchtop formulation capability.
• Hands-on experience running bench experiments, prototype work, analytical measurements, and related lab techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with semi structured oversight (receives direction, then executes independently with ongoing oversight).
• Strong attention to detail, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Conducting bench top experiments and/or analytical measurements in the lab.
• Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, shelf-life, and adherence to government and industry standards.
• Support development and commercialization of new/improved products, reviewing ingredients, and delivering cost savings across the Condiments and Sauces unit.
• Work collaboratively with Packaging, Quality, Operations, Project Management, Marketing, Sales to drive, scope, and implement projects to meet the business objectives.
• Includes activities such as feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, supervision of factory trials, development of recipe and factory documentation, recipe and label development, technical approval, shelf life assessments and technical support for initial factory production.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Critical thinking

Investigation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science / Dairy Science / Meat Science / Chemical Engineering

Job description

Shift Timings: Monday to Friday From 9:00am to 5:00pm

Pay Rate : $70.00-$70.00/HR

Overview:

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers strategic talent solutions to our clients world-wide. Our client is an American food company formed by the merger of client Food and the third-largest food and beverage company in North America.

Job Description:

Role Summary:

This is a research based technical development role providing direction for and execution of projects across our North America Zone AFH. The candidate will be supporting technical projects to meet business initiatives focused on Innovation and Renovation. This candidate must have a technical background and excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to apply prior learning or scientific principles to new situations. This position requires an individual to manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently and demonstrate the ability to complete work with minimal guidance. Exhibiting a collaborative mindset and applying creative solutions are a must.

• Conducting bench top experiments and/or analytical measurements in the lab.
• Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, shelf-life, and adherence to government and industry standards.
• Support development and commercialization of new/improved products, existing products, reviewing and evaluating ingredients, and delivering cost savings across the Condiments and Sauces unit.
• Work collaboratively with Packaging, Quality, Operations, Project Management, Marketing, Sales to drive, scope, and implement projects to meet the business objectives.
• Includes activities such as feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, supervision of factory trials, development of recipe and factory documentation, recipe and label development, technical approval, shelf life assessments and technical support for initial factory production.

Qualifications:

• Good communication, attention to detail, critical thinking and investigation skills.
• Self-starter with a passion to learn a must.
• Handle multiple assignments/tasks concurrently and seek guidance as needed.
• Strong understanding of Design of Experiments.
• B.S. degree in Food, Dairy, Meat Science or Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• Internship or Co-op Experience in the food or consumer products industry preferred.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Meat Science, Chemical Engineering, or related/equivalent field (from job description).
• Minimum 3–4 years of real world product development experience (not entry level).
• Strong benchtop formulation capability — identified as the most critical skill for the first 90 days.
• Hands on experience running bench experiments, prototype work, analytical measurements, and related lab techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with semi structured oversight (receives direction, then executes independently with ongoing oversight).
• Strong attention to detail, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Nice to Haves:

• Internships or full time experience specifically in product development.
• Experience with:
• Soups.
• Mac & cheese.
• Exposure to foodservice / away from home (AFH) product categories.
• Demonstrated adaptability and versatility across product types or R&D environments.
• Experience with sensory testing, shelf life studies, or analytical/nutritional testing.

TekWissen® Group is an equal opportunity employer supporting workforce diversity.