Product Development ManagerOn site - Hicksville, NYNassau Candy is seeking a
manager for their
Product Development team. This team member will be responsible for strategic category planning for their line of business and development and executions of new products. Responsible for all aspects of product construction and can create thoughtful and accurate costing models.
🧠 How You'll Make an ImpactCritical skills for success include leadership and accountability, critical thinking, sound financial acumen, multi-tasking, problem solving, time management, and strong communication / follow-up skills. Must thrive in a very fast-paced environment and possess a quick learning curve.
Primary functions of this role, include but are not limited to:
Product Development:
- Develop new everyday and seasonal food items for private label customers
- Own and manage entire product development process from new item concept through to first production run
- Provide leadership and foster effective cross-functional team collaboration (R&D, Packaging, Purchasing, Production, and Creative) to launch products successfully and on time
- Lead customer pricing process of new items; work with Production and suppliers to ensure costs and assumptions are accurately captured in pricing models (see more below)
- Work closely with Sales team to partner on development of new products as requested by key customers and manage process to create samples and pricing
- Partner with Marketing to provide clear direction of look and feel for new items as well as positioning in sales collateral and e-commerce
Product Costing:
- Oversee costing models for all product development customer inquiries including manufacturing, labor, raw materials, packaging, and transportation
- Analyze product formulas to determine loss and yield and update often to ensure accurate costing.
- Collaborate with production team to verify labor output and confirm all costs are accurate and reflected in costing models
- Ensure concerns and challenges around product development and costs are addressed throughout the process
- Deliver pricing recommendation which meets company and customer profit margin benchmarks, while ensuring a competitive retail price to the consumer
Category Management:
- Analyze and understand category statistics and business implications
- Identify competitive white space and new product opportunities
- Develop strategic plans and recommendations for product line execution
Efficiencies:
- Identify and implement process improvement opportunities
- Perform ongoing analysis of costing model to maintain accurate costs and customer pricing
- Monitor and manage on-time responses to customers' RFQs
Development:
- Potential to manage direct reports
- Provide mentorship of junior associates to develop skill set and confidence in approach to product management and costing
• We're Excited About You Because You...- Have a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or finance; expertise in consumer product development; food experience is ideal.
- Possess thorough knowledge of financial costing, and in-depth knowledge of product construction and manufacturing
- Have 6+ years in product development in food, R&D, or manufacturing.
- Can successfully lead cross-functional teams and see projects through.
- Blend creativity and analytical thinking.
- Are passionate about and have a strong pulse on food trends and consumer preferences.
- Have strong Excel & Microsoft Office skills
🏢 Office GuidelinesThis is an
in-office role based at our headquarters in Hicksville, NY. We thrive on face-to-face collaboration and believe it enhances problem-solving, creativity, and connection.
🚀 Ready to Join Us?Be part of a company where your ideas matter, your impact is visible, and your passion drives success.
Apply now to help shape the future of innovation at Nassau Candy. 
