As the world leader in nutrition, health and wellness for children from birth to preschool, Gerber Products Company is committed to creating a strong future. We joined the Nestlé Nutrition family in 2007, and have been a partner in parenthood ever since. Our Anything for Baby team works closely with experts to create products that enrich and establish healthy habits for children, and are good for the planet as well. A career at Gerber provides meaningful opportunities to develop professionally, and nurture generations to come. Now is the time to define your future, and ours too.

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Sr. Product Development Specialist - Technical Applications Group (TAG)

Position Summary:

The Senior Product Development Specialist within the Technical Applications Group at Nestlé Nutrition will support the Healthy Snacks category, encompassing products for infants, toddlers, and older children. This role will act as the technical lead to identify solutions, deliver innovation and renovation agenda, and drive optimization and improvement projects managing for cost, quality and compliance. Additionally, they will represent the Technical Applications Group as the subject matter expert, ensuring effective knowledge transfer to the factories.

Responsibilities:

1. Implementation of Innovation & Renovation Strategy for the Supported Product Categories in the Market
   • Lead product development activities from concept to commercialization to introduce new products and processes within factories, ensuring safety, stability, and legality.
   • Act as the technical lead and apply leadership, coaching and influencing skills to steer the project on-time, on-budget, meeting key success criteria and consumer desire. 
   • Partner with global experts within Nestlé to leverage innovative capabilities and drive product superiority.
2. Drive Continuous Improvement of Existing Products/Processes Enabling Local Business Need and Supply Demands:
   • Lead technical projects utilizing product development expertise across manufacturing operations, raw material sourcing, quality improvements, cost savings, and compliance. Take ownership and lead those initiatives with good project management practices.
   • Drive quality initiatives using Nestlé systems for ingredient qualification, supplier onboarding, technical acceptance, and regulatory compliance. Lead recipe optimizations to enhance manufacturability while ensuring compliance.
   • Apply advanced problem-solving skills and scientific knowledge to unlock operational excellence.
3. Ensure Adherence to All Product, Process and Material Standards
   • Lead the onboarding, evaluation, and qualification of raw materials and suppliers including assessment for allergens and claims.
   • Identify, influence, and lead the development of the product and process standards in compliance with Nestlé requirements, external regulations and industry benchmarks. 
4. Provide First Line of Support to Factories:
   • Provide subject matter expertise, especially in the areas of ingredient, recipe and processing to ensure consistent production of high-quality products.
5. Continuous Improvement of Technical Skills and Personal Development
   • Define, develop, and coach the competencies and training materials required for product/process mastership to enable manufacturing excellence.
   • Acts as an ambassador for TAG when representing globally or externally.

Qualifications:

• BS or MS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in product development within the CPG industry.
• Preferred experience in baking, extrusion, and other low moisture food technologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead project teams.

Required Skills:

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and assignments.
• Strong communication skills: interpersonal, presentation, oral, and written.
• Highly motivated, critical thinker, goal-oriented, and adaptable to change.
• Consumer-centric growth mindset and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Computer Skills: SAP or related, Recipe Management and PLM systems, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams.

Working Conditions:

• Travel Requirement: Approximately 25%, primarily within North America.
• Location: Corporate role based in Fremont, Michigan.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. 

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