Director - Product Development - Medifast - Baltimore

Job description
Director of Product Development

The Director of Product Development will provide leadership, vision, and scientific expertise to our product development team and regulatory and labeling team as well as to the company in general, through all channels of support. The product development leader will provide an aggressive global change agenda to significantly elevate the impact of the product development function and accelerate global company growth. The company intends to have international growth and portfolio expansion and product development will have a key role in achieving this goal. The Director of Product Development will drive innovation, increase the level of externally sourced technology and determine the optimal structural model for the product development and regulatory and labeling teams.

Responsibilities
The Director of Product Development will oversee the product development team and regulatory and labeling team and will provide strategic guidance and expertise on developing formulas, recipes, processing procedures, and specifications for new and reformulated products.
The product development leader will help to build upon the Medifast brand by developing innovative products for weight control management through our meal replacement technology as well as nutritional supplements for health and wellness. He or she will lead in the development of overall project plans for developing new products and resource allocation, budgets and timelines. He or she will ensure the appropriate balance of innovation, extension, breakout and breakthrough projects into new adjacent, healthy categories.
Collaborate with departments cross functionally in order to successfully launch and manage implementation of all products. This person would need to understand the importance of customer feedback and go-to-market strategies as a part of the process of launching new products.
Establish structured development processes, starting from initial idea to screening (consumer led) to manufacturing. This includes an approach to sharing knowledge from domestic and international markets as well as operationalizing ‘open innovation.
The Director of Product Development will provide strategic direction in evaluating raw materials, suppliers and equipment and serve as the technical expert and resource for product nutrition and development.

Desired Skills and Experience
The position prefers a Ph.D. or equivalent with at least 10 years of industry experience in food science or related industries
Has successfully led a large R&D and/or Product Development team within a company known for best-in-class innovation and NPD processes
Must have scientific credibility combined with a track record in research and development to inspire scientists and gain their trust
This position requires leadership skills and a commitment to promoting the Medifast brand while driving strong, innovative science-based product claims
Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with confidential customers and Medifast information
Strong interest in health and wellness
Must perform responsibilities with minimal supervision
Analytical skills and good scientific judgment for evaluating nutrition-related issues and product complaints
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written with the ability to speak confidently while providing large group presentations
Problem solving and creativity

Enter your email address:

Refer This Job To Your Friends And Help Them To Find Jobs!