New Product Development Manager
Indexed description
The New Product Development (NPD) Manager serves as the bridge between commercial opportunities and operational execution — translating customer and sales requests into products that are technically feasible, operationally scalable, and financially viable. This role plays a key part in evaluating profitability, production readiness, packaging solutions, and manufacturing processes for both new and existing product lines.
This is a highly cross-functional position that partners closely with Sales, Operations, Procurement, Processing, and Quality teams to ensure products can be successfully developed, produced, and brought to market.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development and commercialization of new seafood and value-added food products
- Partner closely with Sales teams to evaluate customer requests, market opportunities, and product feasibility
- Build detailed product cost models including raw materials, labor, packaging, and operational inputs
- Conduct yield testing and production analysis to validate profitability and manufacturing efficiency
- Research, source, and develop packaging solutions that support operational scalability and customer requirements
- Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate packaging specifications, pricing, and material options
- Develop technical specifications, SOPs, product data sheets, and production documentation
- Coordinate product trials, sample runs, and first-production validations with plant operations teams
- Work directly with Processing and Operations teams to define scalable manufacturing processes
- Partner with Procurement teams to establish technical specifications for raw materials, ingredients, and packaging
- Support Quality and Food Safety teams to ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and operational standards
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts focused on yield optimization, cost management, and operational efficiency
- 3+ years of experience in New Product Development, commercialization, or food manufacturing environments
- Strong understanding of food production processes, product costing, and yield analysis
- Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Procurement, and Quality teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with advanced Excel proficiency
- Ability to balance commercial needs with operational realities and profitability targets
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Clear communicator with strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work in fast-paced manufacturing and operational environments
- Seafood, protein, or food CPG manufacturing environments
- Packaging development and supplier negotiations
- Retail, foodservice, or private-label product development
- HACCP, FDA, USDA, or SQF-regulated production environments
- ERP systems, commercialization workflows, or specification management systems
- Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency
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