Product Development Manager- Private Brands

circlek; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Circle K is seeking a Manager, Sourcing and Product Development – Private Brands to lead sourcing strategies and product development for private brands in the convenience channel, across packaged food, beverages, snacks and general merchandise.

You will partner with the Private Brand Product Management team to align on vision, cost targets, specs, and timelines, while optimizing supply chain and building scalable processes for speed-to-market and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Buying Operations, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in sourcing, product development, or private brand roles.
• Experience with CPG packaged food and/or general merchandise.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Product Management teams.
• Knowledge of supply chain concepts, supplier management, and commercialization processes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and execution skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute product development plans aligned to brand and assortment strategies.
• Manage day-to-day product development activities from concept to commercialization.
• Translate product briefs into specifications, packaging, and supplier briefs.
• Collaborate with Private Brand Product Management to align on vision, cost targets, specs, timelines.
• Lead supplier communications on cost, timelines, and performance.
• Support SKU lifecycle activities including reformulations and line extensions.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Execution

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Buying Operations, Supply Chain, Food Science, or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Manager, Sourcing and Product Development – Private Brands is responsible for executing sourcing strategies and product development initiatives that support private brand growth within the convenience retail channel, across packaged food, beverages, snacks, and general merchandise.

This role works closely with the Private Brand Product Management team to bring product concepts to life, ensuring alignment on product vision, cost targets, specifications, and timelines. The Manager plays a key role in optimizing the private brand supply chain and in building and following structured, scalable processes that enable speed-to-market, quality, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development Execution & Product Management Partnership

• Partner closely with the Private Brand Product Management team to execute product development plans aligned to brand and assortment strategies.
• Manage day-to-day product development activities from concept approval through commercialization.
• Translate product briefs into detailed specifications, packaging requirements, and supplier briefs.
• Provide input on feasibility, supplier capabilities, cost implications, and supply chain considerations.
• Support SKU lifecycle activities including reformulations, line extensions, and item transitions.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Execute sourcing strategies across domestic and international suppliers for assigned categories.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers in alignment with quality, cost, and capacity requirements.
• Lead supplier communications related to product development, costing, timelines, and performance.
• Support supplier negotiations and cost-reduction initiatives in partnership with leadership.
• Maintain supplier documentation, specifications, and contracts.

Supply Chain Optimization & Risk Management

• Support end-to-end supply chain optimization efforts for private brand products.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, and Inventory Planning teams to:
  • Improve lead times and on-time delivery
  • Optimize MOQ, production runs, and inventory levels
  • Reduce total landed cost where possible

• Monitor supplier performance related to service levels, quality, and responsiveness.
• Escalate supply risks and support mitigation plans such as alternate sourcing or item transitions.

Process Discipline & Operational Excellence

• Execute and continuously improve sourcing and product development processes to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Follow standardized workflows for:
  • New item development and commercialization
  • Supplier qualification and onboarding
  • Costing, specification management, and change control

• Help document processes, tools, and best practices.
• Track progress against timelines, milestones, and readiness requirements.
• Use data and reporting to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners including Product Management, Merchandising, QA, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and Operations.
• Provide guidance and day-to-day support to junior team members or analysts, as applicable.
• Contribute to a solutions-oriented, accountable team culture.
• Participate in training, onboarding, and capability-building initiatives.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all assigned products meet FDA, USDA, FSMA, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with QA and Regulatory teams to manage product specifications, audits, labeling, allergens, and claims.
• Support issue resolution related to quality, compliance, and supplier corrective actions.
• Uphold private brand quality and food safety standards.

Financial & Business Support

• Support product-level costing, margin targets, and business case development.
• Track costs, savings initiatives, and supplier changes impacting COGS.
• Assist in forecasting, item setup, and launch readiness activities.
• Ensure sourcing decisions align with financial and operational goals.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Buying Operations, Supply Chain, Food Science, or related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in sourcing, product development, or private brand roles.
• Experience with CPG packaged food and/or general merchandise.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Product Management teams.
• Working knowledge of supply chain concepts, supplier management, and commercialization processes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and execution skills.

Preferred

• Experience in convenience retail or multi-format retail.
• Exposure to global sourcing and food safety regulations.
• Prior experience mentoring or supervising junior team members.

Key Competencies

• Product development execution
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Supplier management
• Supply chain optimization
• Process discipline & attention to detail
• Problem-solving and prioritization
• Clear communication

Success Metrics

• On-time execution of product development and launches
• Accuracy and completeness of specifications and documentation
• Supplier performance and service levels
• Lead time and supply continuity improvements
• Cost and margin target support
• Cross-functional partner satisfaction

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Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.