Senior Manager, Product Development

This Global Product Development position will lead priority Global and Co-Brand/ Partnership ARTD and strategic product development initiatives in our Global Emerging pre-pipeline development. The role will collaborate closely with Coca-Cola Trademark and other NARTD Product Development team members, in the product design, development and optimization of Global brands based on consumer research. This role will connect with various RTE Team members to enable exploration of new flavor technologies and ingredient applications across the Global priority platforms.

Focus, Scope, & Impact:

• Execute the product development pipeline initiatives for the ARTD Co-brand portfolio: new products, reformulations and application of new product/ingredient/alcohol base technologies, while liaising with partner company representatives, where applicable.
• Oversee coordination of pilot plant production of Global brands according to timelines and quantity needs
• Design, produce and evaluate/assess (e.g., through laboratory testing) a product prototype/sample against technical requirements, fit to concept or performance specifications (e.g., functionality and operational feasibility).
• Design, develop, conduct and/or review experiments (e.g., laboratory or process experiments) to deliver new products; evaluate ingredient, product efficacy or claims; or evaluate new ingredients, materials, products or processes.  Write detailed and accurate reports for projects and plant trials (e.g. equipment validation, evaluation of new processes).
• Evaluate and recommend requirements for new alcohol product types where current capability does not exist. 
• Liaise with all Global and OU technical resources required to fully develop and commercialize a product including but not limited to TCR, quality, SRA, micro, engineering, package development and commercialization, manufacturing.   Provide subject matter expertise for all product processing.

• Work with the GDI Center and Regional leads and marketing to define the product portfolio strategy. Liaise with Marketing in the development of concept briefs.
• Support pre-commercialization test runs to ensure production capability as needed.
• Accountable for the product formulation aspect of the project delivery (Quality, timing & cost)
• Able to manage and deliver on multiple Global projects simultaneously.
• Able to make routine decisions independently. Consults line manager as appropriate on key milestones & general guidelines.
• Able to resolve technical challenges linked to formulation, process, ingredient variabilities, scale-up.
• Able to translate consumer test results and product sensory attributes into winning product propositions.
• Able to identify areas of improvement on product development, process, and communication routines

KeY SUCCESS PARAMETERS

Experience

5-10 years successful experience in product development in the beverage industry (alcoholic beverage experience strongly preferred) Educational requirements / qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or Post Graduate in food science, chemistry, engineering or related field. Functional Competencies:

• Proficient – Food Science /Technology
• Competent – Alcoholic Beverage Technology
• Competent: Alcoholic Beverage Processing
• Proficient – System dynamic
• Working knowledge – Marketing
• Working knowledge – Alcoholic beverage regulations
• Proficient – Project management
• Competent – Communication
• Working knowledge – Sensory science / Consumer.

Cultural diversity:

• Fluent in English.
• Additional language is a plus.

Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

Work Focus

Development of prototypes at lab scale, following all good manufacturing practices to ensure safety. Production of samples in the pilot plant, including leading product stability assessments Filling accurately internal databases for stability tracking, formula database, project management tools Precise description of manufacturing conditions, following strictly TCCC guidelines and recommendations from R&D Microbiologist and Technical PMO. Provide input of best practices for production of finished products during production trials, identifying ideal process and risks in case capabilities at the plant are not in place, with the support of manager and R&D microbiologist when applicable. Lead discussions on manufacturing instructions to plan trials and first productions with copackers, bottler, equipment supplier with support of line manager and Technical PMO Work in cross functional team with Consumer Guidance to assure prototypes are developed leveraging science of taste. Be updated on the "New World of Risk" and take this into consideration in ingredient selection, formula and process design to ensure safety (eg. allergen management, micro risks, product and raw materials sensitivities). Be externally focused, helping to identify new partners, technologies and ingredients that can bring competitive edge and screen/assess them internally, with manager support. Continuous curiosity on alcohol / ARTD industry competition activities and strategy and trends in the category, identifying growth opportunities with the support of manager. Strictly follows and understands good lab practice (5S) and internal procedures, following as a principle "safety first" in all that we do.

Communication Focus

Lead the communication between Co-brand /Trademark / NARTD R&D and the project team (project status, communicate potential issues, potential hurdles) with the support of the Category manager and Technical PMO as appropriate. Proactively provides advice within R&D community and project stakeholders Develop and maintain internal and external network in area of responsibility. Cultivate good relationship with Marketing, Technical and Supply Chain functions, locally and globally.

Skills:

Product Development; Chemistry; Leadership; Continual Improvement Process; Environmental Science; Researching; Microbiology; Project Management; Food Sciences; Food Technology; Communication; Laboratory Testing; Data Compilation; Quality Control (QC); Food Safety Management; Green Solutions; Sensory Testing