Our client is seeking a New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager to lead cross-functional commercialization projects from concept approval through plant trials, scale-up, validation, and full commercial launch. This role ensures new products are introduced with capable, repeatable processes and that all functions R&D, Quality/Food Safety, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales are aligned throughout the launch lifecycle.
This position is ideal for a highly organized, process-driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects.
Onsite | No Visa Sponsorship | Relocation Assistance: Limited
Responsibilities:
Project Leadership
- Lead end-to-end commercialization projects from concept through launch.
- Manage multiple projects across retail, foodservice, and industrial channels.
- Identify and resolve risks, bottlenecks, and cross-functional dependencies.
- Drive stage-gate execution and ensure decision readiness at each milestone.
- Build and maintain integrated project plans, timelines, risk registers, budgets, and launch-readiness criteria.
Manufacturing Readiness & Process Development
- Own and maintain SOPs related to the product launch lifecycle.
- Drive adoption and consistency of commercialization processes across teams and facilities.
- Ensure new products are launched with documented, repeatable, and capable processes.
- Support identification of equipment needs, line modifications, and capital requirements for new product launches.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Align with Supply Chain on raw materials, packaging, and supplier readiness.
- Coordinate with Operations on production readiness, capacity planning, and scheduling.
- Partner with Product Development on formulations, specifications, and customer expectations.
- Work with Quality/Food Safety to ensure compliance with labeling, allergen control, validation, and regulatory requirements.
- Serve as the central point of contact for assigned projects across R&D, Quality/Food Safety, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, and Sales.
Continuous Improvement
- Support post-launch reviews to evaluate performance and drive sustained improvements.
- Identify opportunities to standardize and optimize commercialization processes across plants.
- Embed continuous improvement principles into launch activities to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost performance.
Qualifications (Must-Haves)
- NPI project leadership.
- Manufacturing readiness & scale-up experience.
- Cross-functional commercialization in food/CPG.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects.
- Experience managing end-to-end commercialization or product launch projects.
- Experience with SOP development or process improvement initiatives preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Supply Chain, Food Science, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in product commercialization, project management, or product management within food manufacturing or CPG.
Nice-to-Haves:
- SOP development.
- Process improvement experience.
Work Environment:
- This role is based on-site in a professional office setting with regular interaction with manufacturing facilities. Occasional travel (10–15%) is required for plant trials, validations, and startup support. Plant visits may involve exposure to varying temperatures and typical food manufacturing conditions.
Benefits & Perks:
- Paid Time Off
- Bonus Eligibility
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- 401(k) with company match
- Professional Development and Career Growth Opportunities