ABOUT THE ROLE:
Nacho Eats Corp is looking to bring on a pet food industry veteran for the role of Director of Product Strategy, Development & Sourcing. This individual will have the opportunity to build and drive the product and sourcing strategy of a new pet brand uniquely positioned in the space.
This person will be responsible for all functions related to insights, product strategy, development, sourcing and QA and for ensuring that the strategy and products are consistent with market trends, brand positioning and business strategy. Through the direction of the President, this role will be accountable for driving growth through relevant innovation that delivers on needs discovered through industry and consumer insights. This role will lead the creation and management of the pet food line from initial research and concepts through to commercialization. This person must possess an entrepreneurial spirit and be comfortable in a start-up environment. This person must be excited for the opportunity to build a new brand while wearing many hats during launch and initial growth phases.
Responsibilities Include:
General:
● Create standard processes in research/insights, product development, sourcing, QA and regulatory/compliance review
● Ensure all activities are conducted as to optimize against KPIs for: product specs, quality, timeliness, cost, aesthetics, palatability/acceptance, performance, commercial feasibility
● Collaborate with internal and external partners including brand, marketing and comms teams to ensure product and brand message cohesion
● Assess talent needed for future PD, Sourcing & QA team to be hired by incumbent in this role
Research/Insights:
● Conduct and manage consumer and industry research
● Interpret industry and consumer research as it relates to market demands, brand position, and business strategy
● Develop actionable insights from research inform product strategy
Product strategy:
● Identify and develop innovation and growth strategies
● Create product vision, line plan and pipeline
● Lead development of market requirements, value proposition, positioning and pricing strategy for new products
● Present product recommendations and strategies to executive leadership, sales team and retailers
● Continually monitor strategy for relevance within the market and against consumer mindset
Product development:
● Guide product development to meet strategic objectives and customer needs
● Develop pricing strategies and a product line mix that supports the brand positioning
● Create product specifications, required features and claims
● Manage formulation process
● Develop packaging specifications and manage package vendors
● Ensure proper review of product and package samples
● Ensure product commissioning process is successful during launch of new products
Sourcing:
● Create a sourcing strategy that delivers on the Nacho brand promise and maximizes value for the company and our consumers
● Leverage a vast professional network of vendors, manufacturers, and suppliers to meet the unique requirements of each product
● Strategically evaluate and assess vendors, manufacturers and suppliers ensuring capabilities and standards of quality, safety, sustainability and business conduct
● Build and manage strategic vendor relationships
● Manage vendor factory audits
● Drive cost-savings with exceptional negotiation skills and focus on quality, service levels, and efficiencies
Quality Assurance:
● Establish and maintain a thorough quality assurance process and testing protocols with all vendors
● Manage testing/studies with independent labs
● Problem solve quality issues
Regulatory / compliance:
● Ensure products are developed within nutritional regulatory and QA/Food Safety guidelines
● Oversee compliance reviews
● Manage product registration process
Requirements:
● A love of cats and a deep understanding of the Nacho brand foundation: cat health, nutrition and love
● At least 5 years of experience in pet food product development in both dry and wet food
● 3+ years of direct team management as well as effective cross-functional management
● Proven experience obtaining and using insights to inform product strategy & innovation pipeline
● Proven experience executing the product strategy for a new brand from concept through to commercialization
● Exceptional negotiation skills
● Passion for building innovative new brands and bringing their products to market with creative, data-driven and flexible strategies
● Understanding and familiarity with the pet food industry, products and manufacturing processes, including knowledge of AAFCO, FDA and USDA regulations regarding pet food ingredients, labeling and claims
● Domestic travel to build, maintain, and grow manufacturing partnerships
● Ability to prioritize and be flexible and collaborative in a fast-paced environment
● Ability and willingness to demonstrate behavior in alignment with company values:
● Collaboration, Integrity, Resourcefulness, Trustworthiness, Ambition
Employment:
● Competitive salary with Bonus Potential
● Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Plan Options
Made by Nacho is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which all people processes including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge are based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs and applied without discrimination. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
