Product Development Manager

Job Title: Product Development Manager Department: Sales Reports To: Vice President of Retail Sales Location: Salinas, CA Pay Range: $90k annually, with a competitive bonus program COMPANY Church Brothers Farms is a vertically-integrated family owned and operated company that produces a full line of fresh vegetables year round with an in-house farming/harvest program and state-of-the-art processing plant. We are a grower-owned processor, farming the majority of our raw product ourselves; adhering to industry-leading food safety and quality standards. The Church family has a legacy of service and innovation, we deliver produce with passion. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Product Development Manager will lead the creation and launch of innovative fresh produce products that align with market trends and consumer preferences. This role involves strategic leadership in sourcing, processing, marketing, and distribution, along with collaboration across R&D, Sales & Marketing, and Operations to identify opportunities, conduct market research, and manage the full product development lifecycle. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Product Strategy Development: Drive innovation and quality in the private and exclusive brand categories, developing a comprehensive product strategy that aligns with company goals and market trends. Collaborate with concept developers, chefs, and packaging teams to bring new product ideas to life. Market Research: Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify consumer needs, preferences, and emerging trends in the produce sector. Partner with sales to leverage category data to inform product development directions. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, sales, marketing, and operations to ensure smooth product development and launches. Effectively manage up and down within teams to meet project deadlines. Project Management: Lead the product development lifecycle, from ideation through launch, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets. Quality Assurance: Ensure all new products meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Develop finished goods specifications and collaborate with R&D to establish raw product specs and process controls. Sustainability Initiatives: Integrate sustainable practices, ingredients, and packaging into product development to meet consumer demand for eco-friendly options. Performance Analysis: Track product performance post-launch, gathering feedback and insights to guide future enhancements. Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate product vision and updates to internal stakeholders and external partners, including suppliers and retailers. Manage supplier relationships to maintain high quality and cost control. REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience of 5 - 7 years of experience managing new product development in the value-added salad and fresh vegetable industry In-depth knowledge of product development and commercialization processes, including R&D procedures Strong project management skills Experience collaborating with large national retailers, such as Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Sam’s Club, etc. Excellent written and verbal communication skills Team-oriented with the ability to work independently Ambitious self-starter with exceptional problem-solving skills Highly organized and detail-oriented Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Church Brothers Farms is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.