1

Product Development Manager Jobs in Spring Lake, MI

May lead product business teams and the development of product strategy for select products. This ... Manages the product life cycle of the product lines from identification, introduction, through ...

May lead product business teams and the development of product strategy for select products. This ... Manages the product life cycle of the product lines from identification, introduction, through ...

Job Summary: Manages the Lane Care product line that includes lane maintenance supplies and ... Assists in the development and execution of sales, marketing plans, and training of the lane care ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Product Development Manager information

See Spring Lake, MI salary details

$38.6K

$115.4K

$131.3K

How much do product development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development manager in Spring Lake, MI is $115,407.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,100.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a product development manager might face when balancing stakeholder expectations and project timelines?

A Product Development Manager often navigates the challenge of balancing diverse stakeholder expectations with realistic project timelines. Stakeholders, such as marketing, sales, and engineering teams, may have differing priorities or urgency, which can lead to conflicting demands. Effective communication, setting clear project milestones, and regularly updating all parties are essential strategies. Additionally, managing scope creep and ensuring alignment on product vision help prevent delays and maintain focus on deliverables.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Development Manager, you need expertise in project management, market analysis, and product lifecycle strategies, usually supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Agile methodologies, product management software (e.g., Jira, Trello), and certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are highly beneficial. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you motivate teams and navigate cross-functional collaboration. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, meeting market demands, and ensuring successful product launches.

Is a product development manager a 9-5 job?

A product development manager typically works standard business hours, but the role can require additional hours to meet project deadlines or address issues. Flexibility may be needed during product launches or critical phases, and some managers may work beyond 9-5 depending on company culture and project demands.

What does a product development manager do?

A product development manager helps a company design new goods and merchandise to increase sales and revenue. As a product development manager, you collaborate with market research and product marketing managers to form development and marketing strategy around new product ideas. You also work with teams in the product development and marketing departments to implement strategies and design new goods or services. You oversee quality assurance testing to ensure that the end user is satisfied with the products your company creates.

What is the difference between Product Development Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectProduct Development ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusOversees the development process, managing teams and technical aspectsDefines product vision, strategy, and manages the product lifecycle
Required SkillsTechnical knowledge, project management, team leadershipMarket research, user experience, strategic planning
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with engineering, design, and production teamsWorks closely with marketing, sales, and customer feedback

While both roles are integral to product success, the Product Development Manager primarily focuses on managing the development process and technical teams, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on defining the product vision and strategy. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals to each role.

What is a product development manager?

A Product Development Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the process of creating new products or improving existing ones within a company. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines, and ensure that products meet market needs and business objectives. Their role often includes market research, product design, testing, and working closely with marketing, engineering, and sales teams to bring products to market successfully.
What cities near Spring Lake, MI are hiring for Product Development Manager jobs? Cities near Spring Lake, MI with the most Product Development Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Product Development Manager job openings in Spring Lake, MI as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,407 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Director of Product Development

Request Foods

Holland, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Request Foods rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 435 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Position: Director of Product Development
Reports to: Senior Director of Sales
Department: Product Development
Location: Holland, M
There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.
Request Foods is seeking a Director of Product Development that provides strategic and operational leadership for the end‑to‑end development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of frozen food products. This role oversees culinary innovation, food science, packaging engineering, and labeling amp; regulatory compliance, ensuring that products are innovative, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with customer and business objectives. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of culinary chefs, food scientists, packaging engineers, and regulatory/labeling professionals, serving as the primary cross‑functional partner to Operations, Quality amp; Food Safety, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain. Success in this role requires a balance of culinary creativity, technical rigor, regulatory expertise, and disciplined execution within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Essential Responsibilities:
Product Development amp; Innovation Leadership
  • Define and execute the product development strategy to support customer growth, innovation pipelines, and operational capabilities.
  • Lead new product development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products are scalable, cost‑effective, and operationally ready.
  • Partner with Sales and customers to translate concepts, briefs, and market needs into executable product solutions.
  • Maintain ownership of product specifications, formulas, and documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
Culinary amp; Food Science Oversight
  • Lead and develop a team of culinary chefs and food scientists responsible for formulation, benchtop development, plant trials, and commercialization support.
  • Ensure products meet taste, texture, appearance, and quality expectations while maintaining food safety and cost targets.
  • Support plant troubleshooting, reformulations, and continuous improvement initiatives for existing products.
Packaging Engineering Leadership
  • Provide strategic oversight of packaging engineering activities, including material selection, line compatibility, shelf life, and performance testing.
  • Ensure packaging solutions meet customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, sustainability goals, and regulatory standards.
  • Partner with Operations and Engineering to support packaging trials, line validations, and equipment compatibility.
Labeling amp; Regulatory Compliance
  • Oversee labeling and regulatory compliance across all products, ensuring adherence to USDA, FDA, and customer‑specific requirements.
  • Ensure accurate nutritional labeling, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and claims substantiation.
  • Stay current with regulatory changes and proactively assess impact to products, packaging, and documentation.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as a key interface between Product Development, Quality, Food Safety, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
  • Ensure smooth handoff from development to manufacturing with clear documentation, training, and operational readiness.
  • Support customer audits, technical reviews, and commercialization milestones.
People Leadership amp; Development
  • Build, lead, and mentor high‑performing teams across culinary, food science, packaging, and regulatory disciplines.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, development plans, and succession strategies.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Financial amp; Portfolio Management
  • Manage the Product Development budget, including labor, ingredients, trials, and capital support.
  • Prioritize the product development portfolio to maximize ROI, capacity alignment, and strategic impact.
  • Track key metrics related to speed‑to‑market, commercialization success, and product performance.
Key Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Food Technology, or related discipline.
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in product development within food manufacturing, preferably frozen foods.
  • Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams (culinary, food science, packaging, regulatory).
  • Strong understanding of USDA/FDA regulations, labeling requirements, and food safety systems.
  • Demonstrated success leading commercialization in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
  • Advanced degree in Food Science or related field.
  • Experience in co‑manufacturing or customer‑driven product development models.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems, BOM management, and commercialization workflows.
Core Competencies:
  • Strategic innovation and execution
  • Regulatory and labeling expertise
  • Culinary and technical credibility
  • Cross‑functional influence
  • Financial and portfolio management
  • People development and change leadership
Benefits and Perks:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • Paid Paternity Leave
  • Wellbeing programs
  • Immediate Holiday Pay
  • Paid Time Off
  • Profit Sharing


What Request Foods employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom