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.
This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
Position Summary
The Product Development Specialist within the Technical Applications Group at Nestlé Nutrition will support the total 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 cost, quality and compliance. Additionally, they will represent the Technical Applications Group as the subject matter expert, ensuring effective knowledge transfer to the factories. Relocation assistance can be provided if needed.
Responsibilities:
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 R&D experts within Nestlé to leverage innovative capabilities and drive product superiority.
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.
Ensure Adherence to All Product, Process and Material Standards
Lead the onboarding, evaluation, and qualification of raw materials and suppliers, ensuring that they comply with Nestle Nutrition standards and meet the critical quality attributes of the finished product.
Identify, influence, and lead the development of the product and process standards in compliance with Nestlé requirements, external regulations, and industry benchmarks.
Ensure adherence to all quality/compliance by design, technical acceptance, and mandatory release standards.
Provide First Line of Support to Factories:
Provide subject matter expertise, especially in the areas of ingredients, recipes and processing to ensure consistent production of high-quality products.
Optimize current products and processes in factories according to local needs. Lead technical projects to improve quality, compliance, and productivity. Manage timelines, address roadblocks, define critical paths, and identify resource constraints.
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.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in product development within the food and beverage industry.
Experience in quality or manufacturing is preferred.
Skills:
Must be capable of working in a fast-paced, team environment with minimal direct supervision and the ability to adhere to aggressive deadlines.
Interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills.
Strong project management skills and ability to lead project teams, making effective use of everyone’s time to achieve timely solutions.
Creative/independent thinking, results-focused, and ability to impact & convince others.
Administrative skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Globe SAP
Travel Requirement: Approximately 25%, primarily within North America.
Location: Office based role located 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 equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected 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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Job Requisition: 359042