Co-Manufactured Product Manager (TX)

Job Position: Co-Manufactured Product Manager
Target Pay Range: $75,000-$90,000/year, depending on level of relevant experience and qualifications
Employment Classification: Full-Time
Location: Texas

About us:
Headquartered in Vernon, CA, we are a premium full spectrum manufacturer and distributor of fine food and beverage products. Family owned and operated since 1977, our Company offers more than 4,000 products to a variety of customers in both the foodservice and retail channels. We are committed to providing the highest quality food products with an unrelenting commitment to fresh, nutritious ingredients and promotion of eco-friendly business practices.

Summary:
This is a new role created to support a growing product team. This associate will manage the post commercialization stage of products made at partner facilities, with a specific focus on Texas region. The heart of the role is an experienced product manager with manufacturing, product development and quality experience. This individual will be responsible for ensuring ongoing quality and specification compliance in co-manufactured products. Ideal candidate is passionate about product quality, process solutions and executional excellence. Candidate would preferably have direct experience in the meat/poultry, sauce and entree food categories and must have direct experience in manufacturing and/or commercialization. This is not an entry level position and at least 5 years of experience is required to be successful in this role. This individual is supported in their deliverables by QA, Innovation, Product Development and Regulatory teams. This position functions within a fast-paced environment of creative energy, novel product designs, processing innovation, and the opportunity for professional growth in a rapidly growing company.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Responsible for driving ongoing quality and specification compliance for product manufactured at co-manufacturing partners
• Responsible for routine product evaluations for ongoing productions and as needed to address consumer complaints; Report results and next steps to home office
• Lead manufacturing process improvements to delivers essential finished product attributes
• Plan, design and lead plant trials and process specification validation for formulation changes
• Lead weekly meetings with co-manufacturing partners and home office cross functional teams; document and communicate updates, issues, resolution plans, next steps and progress
• Use knowledge of food processing, manufacturing equipment, formulations and general food science to solve non-food safety related quality challenges
• Lead preparation of comprehensive process and project documentation to enable ongoing optimization activities and training of plant personnel
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in engineering, food science, biology, chemistry, agricultural science, or a related life science field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food product or process development, QA, or manufacturing
• Strong computer skills are essential
• Thorough understanding of HACCP/HARPC, SPC, Lean Manufacturing
• Project leadership experience in a food manufacturing
• Demonstrate track-record of successful product quality management
• Excellent in leading manufacturing trials
• Excellent organizational skills and time management
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to bring out the best in fellow team members and display leadership qualities
• Ability to be on-site at co-manufacturing partners 60 - 80% or time; sites will be located in the Texas region
• Ideal candidate must be able to read and comprehend written and verbal instructions. Draft memos and correspondence with ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Be able to read and comprehend instruments, equipment manuals.
• The individual will handle and is exposed to allergenic and sensitive materials, such as soy, wheat, gluten, dairies, seafood, nuts, sulfites, etc.
• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to smell, taste, and consume all food types.

Benefits Overview:
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401k

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as
an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.