Food Product Development Assistant Jobs in Summit, NJ

Come join a growing team! FOODMatch is searching for a Product Development Coordinator to join our Sourcing team.

FOODMatch is a producer and importer of Mediterranean specialty foods with a focus on olives, antipasti, and ingredients. Founded in 1996, FOODMatch is a producer and importer of Mediterranean specialty foods with a distinct expertise in traditionally and responsibly crafted olives, antipasti, spreads, sauces, and ingredients. FOODMatch plays an integral role in ensuring the quality of our products. The FOODMatch difference begins in the fields and groves. We are vertically integrated with our partners to ensure that each step along the production chain is completed to meticulous standards: from irrigation and pruning, to harvesting, sorting and stuffing by hand, to expertly curing and preserving, we ensure each ingredient delivers its natural flavor, color, and texture. Simply put, no detail is spared.

Through the hands of our growers we create great tasting, responsibly produced, authentic foods that nurture community and enhance your quality of life.

Project Coordination

• Support Retail, Private Label, Club Store, and internal product development projects from initial request through commercialization.
• Gather, organize, and maintain project information, including customer requirements, product specifications, timelines, samples, pricing inputs, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain project timelines, sample logs, shared files, and project trackers to ensure information is current and accessible.
• Prepare project updates, meeting notes, action items, and follow-up communications.
• Help coordinate communication between internal teams to support project milestones, approvals, and deliverables.

New Product Development Support

• Support innovation and renovation projects by assisting with research, sample coordination, prototype tracking, and vendor follow-up.
• Assist with research on market trends, competitive products, ingredients, packaging, and potential vendor capabilities.
• Coordinate product samples with vendors and internal teams, including receiving, logging, routing, tracking feedback, and communicating next steps.
• Support sensory evaluations, product reviews, customer meetings, trade shows, and internal presentations by preparing samples, notes, and related materials.

Vendor & Cross-Functional Support

• Work with existing suppliers and assist in identifying potential new manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and vendors.
• Support vendor scheduling, sample requests, documentation follow-up, and approved product deliverables.
• Partner with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, Product Development, and other teams to help ensure projects remain organized and on track.

Process & Administrative Support

• Help maintain internal processes, forms, project documents, and operating procedures to improve workflow and organization.
• Assist with basic cost comparisons, product transition tracking, contingency updates, and reporting as needed.
• Support additional administrative, project, and departmental tasks as assigned.

• Experience in food product development, project coordination, sourcing, or a related food industry role preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and related business systems.
• Basic understanding of food safety, quality, labeling, supplier documentation, or cost models preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Resourceful, proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working cross-functionally.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project coordination, organization, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with vendors, customers, Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Product Development.
• Interest in food trends, product innovation, recipe development, and culinary applications.
• Collaborative, service-oriented, and comfortable learning new systems and processes.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation based on experience. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance