Product Development - Paper Products

Dahl Consulting; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 68,000; Part time

Job summary

Dahl Consulting seeks a Product Development professional specializing in Paper Products to partner with a national retailer on developing and improving paper product lines. This hybrid/minneapolis-based role focuses on technical product knowledge, supplier engagement, and cross-functional leadership across paper categories.

The role emphasizes managing risks, prioritizing effectively, and delivering timely decisions while collaborating with internal teams and suppliers in a matrixed organization.

Qualifications

• Experience in paper products, tissue, nonwovens, or related manufacturing.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate technical information into business decisions.
• Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams across product development, sourcing, merchandising, quality, packaging, supply chain, finance, and supplier groups.
• Keep active work moving, manage technical and supplier risks, and drive timely decisions.
• Escalate issues early when product quality, cost, timing, or supply is at risk.
• Navigate a large, matrixed organization to move work forward with speed.

Skills

Paper products experience

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Supplier management

Communication

Job description

Title: Product Development – Paper Products

Location: Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid | Onsite T/W/TH)

Job Type: Contract (3 Months)

Compensation: $26.31 - $48.87/hr

Industry: Retail

About the Role

We are partnering with a leading national retailer to identify a Product Development professional specializing in Paper Products. Our client is a major consumer-products organization known for developing high-quality, owned-brand goods across a wide range of household categories. This role sits within a large, matrixed product development function and plays a critical part in keeping active work moving, managing technical and supplier risks, and helping cross-functional teams make clear, timely decisions. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically grounded professional who thrives at the intersection of product knowledge, supplier management, and cross-functional leadership. Direct paper manufacturing experience is preferred, but candidates with relevant experience in nonwovens, absorbent products, fiber-based materials, packaging, converting, or adjacent manufacturing industries may also be a strong fit.

Job Description

This role requires a combination of technical product knowledge, strong cross-functional leadership, project management, and sound business judgment. The successful candidate will keep active work moving, manage technical and supplier risks, and help teams reach clear, timely decisions across paper product categories.

Technical and Product Leadership

Support product development, quality improvement, supplier transitions, cost savings, and innovation projects across paper categories. Understand key product and manufacturing drivers, including material selection, product performance, specifications, testing, converting, and supplier capability. Review technical data, identify risks, challenge unsupported supplier claims, and recommend practical solutions. Distinguish between issues that require deeper technical work and those that can be resolved through sound judgment and timely decision-making. Partner with suppliers and internal technical experts to resolve product, manufacturing, and quality issues.

Cross-Functional and Project Leadership

Lead projects across product development, sourcing, merchandising, quality, packaging, supply chain, finance, and supplier teams. Create clarity around priorities, decisions, owners, risks, and next steps. Manage multiple workstreams and focus attention on what is truly urgent and important. Navigate a large, matrixed organization and move work forward with speed. Escalate issues early when product quality, cost, timing, or supply is at risk.

Business and Supplier Management

Understand the business context behind product decisions, including consumer needs, cost, margin, competitive positioning, and supplier economics. Balance product performance, cost, speed, sustainability, and supply risk. Assess supplier strengths, limitations, and ability to deliver against technical and business needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in paper products, tissue, towels, nonwovens, absorbent products, packaging, converting, or a related manufacturing field.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate technical information into clear business decisions.
• Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong judgment and the ability to prioritize effectively in an ambiguous environment.
• Clear, concise communication and a collaborative working style.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct paper manufacturing experience.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of how product decisions affect the broader business.
• A curious, adaptable working style—someone who listens carefully, learns fast, asks good questions, and builds alignment across teams.

Benefits

Dahl Consulting is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees that will allow you to choose the best coverage to meet your family’s needs. For details, please review the DAHL Benefits Summary: https://www.dahlconsulting.com/benefits-w2fta/.

As an equal opportunity employer, Dahl Consulting welcomes candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.