Product Development Manager & Prepared Meals

H-E-B; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

H-E-B is looking for a Product Development Manager to support product and packaging initiatives that ensure competitiveness in the omnichannel business. The successful candidate will collaborate across various departments, contributing to quality goals and participate in product development tasks.

A related degree is required along with 3+ years of experience in product development. Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and an ability to navigate complex issues are essential. The role may involve travel and extended hours.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in product development or related work.
• Preferred Food Science and/or Culinary background.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support product and packaging-related initiatives across multiple categories.
• Manage key product and packaging initiatives and strategies.
• Ensure products meet quality, attribute, and financial goals.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Verbal and written communication

Negotiating skills

Attention to detail

Education

Related degree or comparable formal training

Tools

MS Office applications

Job description

Responsibilities

Creating an emotional link between the products we make and our customers is the work of our H-E-B Own Brand Team, who develops products to meet a variety of business objectives. As an integral part of the Center for Excellence for Retail Product Development, a successful Partner will understand, create, and carry out best practices for product design and evaluation, supplier engagement, technology advancement, and project execution. Serving as a Product Development Manager (PDM), you’ll support product‑ and packaging‑related initiatives across multiple categories and numerous projects to help make H-E-B competitive and successful in the omnichannel business and delight our customers.

• Independently learns and participates in all product development and maintenance activities related to specific categories assigned with manager & PDM trainers.
• Manages key product and packaging initiatives and strategies to execute against realistic, deliverable timelines with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Participates in and learns processes to understand market trends, product development practices, product evaluations, specification documentation, and ingredient and nutrition disciplines of assigned categories in conjunction with PDM trainer and manager.
• Contributes to category 5‑year planning.
• Learns and participates in decision‑making on competitive analysis and evaluations, project planning, product development, analytical testing, manufacturing, and related maintenance with PDM trainer and manager.
• Individually manages product development for selected categories; may work with or support PDMs on projects.
• Works collaboratively with QA, Procurement, CIC, OBMs, Regulatory, Self‑Manufacturing, Global Sourcing, Culinary/R&D Chefs, suppliers, and others.
• Ensures products are successfully developed to meet quality, attribute, and financial goals and objectives.
• Cross‑trains in Stores and Self‑Manufacturing for professional development and knowledge building.
• Participates in and coordinates special projects as assigned.
• Performs Product Development Assistant (PDA) project duties; coordinates and manages logistics for product evaluations (sample preparation, procurement, documentation, set up, facilitation, cleanup).
• May leverage PDA support in special circumstances or highly complex product evaluations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Related degree or comparable formal training, certification, or work experience.
• 3+ years of experience in product development or related work.
• Experience in project management.
• Preferred Food Science and/or Culinary background.
• Strong working knowledge of consumer trends, how to identify and define key product quality and sensory attributes, product development, and production and process management.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and shift focus between tasks; attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate and navigate at all company levels.
• Ability to collaborate and solve problems cross‑functionally.
• Ability to work through complex issues with senior colleagues.
• Ability to provide proactive solutions with limited direction and input.
• Initiative and willingness to take calculated risks and collaborate with key partners for alignment.
• Creative aptitude and a passion to work with products (food and non‑food).
• Function in a fast‑paced environment.
• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays.
• Work extended hours; sit for extended periods.
• Regularly lift 20 lbs or more.