Product Developer - Stock Yards Collective

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Join Our Community of Food People! The Product Developer develops innovative and consumer-driven new Exclusive Brand products for production at relevant Stock Yards manufacturing facilities. They also support maintaining existing Stock Yards Exclusive Brand (EB) products through ongoing monitoring and reformulations. They maintain accountability throughout the product development process from ideation to product launch formula/spec development and commercialization, including benchtop development and designating ingredients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop new Stock Yards Exclusive Brand products that contribute to EB profitable growth and overall success, with focus on innovation, aligned with the overall US Foods strategy. Participate in the building of the EB Center of Plate (COP) category strategy in conjunction with Category Mgrs. where it pertains to Stock Yards. Direct SY concept development. Conduct research and development to improve COP products. Ensure compliance with food safety regulations Develop new COP products and optimize processing techniques. Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in COP items Perform quality control tests on COP products Use strong technical expertise, portfolio analysis and insight to identify areas for innovation, claims/nutritional potential, improved profitability. Assist in coordinating product cuttings and demonstrations; develop sales and marketing strategies and proposals for internal and external teams on products and services, conducting market research to determine customer needs and provide information to sales staff. Serve as a Stock Yards Collective product development subject matter expert, with in-depth knowledge of manufacturing capabilities of all Stock Yards locations. Collaborate with category, marketing, FSQA, Stock Yards Collective (SYC) operations and other functions to drive project potential and assure aligned direction on priorities. Identify and recommend relevant SYC manufacturing location based on knowledge of equipment capabilities and understanding of distribution impact. Maintain solid technical and business understanding of the competitive set, and emerging technology to help identify gap or opportunity areas for technical point of difference in US Foods' products. Drive next generation manufacturing capabilities discussions. Develop best-in-class nutritional attributes, formulas and product and ingredient specifications that meet corporate, regulatory, and consumer/customer needs. Ensure that brand integrity and brand strategies are maintained. This will include bench work at relevant SYC location and/or Rosemont and communication with outside ingredient suppliers to identify the best sources. Ensure that projects are delivered with the highest quality to the business on agreed timelines and within budget and are communicated with senior leadership and other stakeholders. Provide support for marketing events and promotions. Other duties as assigned by manager.

SUPERVISION N/A RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

Interact with cross-functional team in Rosemont (Category, FSQA, Marketing, Comms, Sales) as well as operations and project management contacts across all SYC manufacturing locations.

External:

Maintain relationships with relevant ingredient suppliers, such as seasoning manufacturers, to assist in identifying best options for development and commercialization. SYC Product Developer may also be asked to present new items and ideas to SYC customers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role will be based onsite in a SYC facility and also supports multiple Stock Yards Collective locations and as such, will spend significant time in refrigerated manufacturing facilities as well as US Foods Rosemont head office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum 5 years' experience in hands-on product development and new product innovation, with extensive product development/ in Beef, Pork, Poultry or Deli. This includes both bench development and commercialization scale-up.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Strong sensory evaluation and analysis skills. Strategic decision-making approach to business interests. High collaboration and project management skills to work across a broad business base. Ability to influence and translate technical information in a non-technical way to all levels in an organization. Strong judgement and decision-making skills. Highly organized with a strong focus on detail and accuracy. Able to thrive in a complex, high demand, evolving environment, requiring quick responsiveness. Must be able to handle multiple priorities while maintaining focus on the bottom line. Must demonstrate a high degree of written and verbal skills and have excellent organization and presentation skills. Must be able to work effectively as an individual with minimal supervision or as a team member as required. Must possess strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, and Outlook. Excellent knowledge of HACCP and its application in food industry. The candidate should have a strong foundation in the core fundamentals of the culinary arts. Strong passion for food and the drive to develop this passion throughout the organization.

Travel:

Must have a valid driver's license. Must be willing to travel up to an estimated 25% of time.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree or equivalent. An exception may be made for individuals with significant experience in supplier-side, hands-on COP product development. Certifications/Training N/A Licenses

N/A PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum 2 years Project Management experience Seafood experience This role will also receive an annual incentive plan bonus. Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html. #LI-EG1 Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between $85,000 - $145,000 •EOE - Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status•Puede ver este sitio de empleo y aplicación en español utilizando la configuración de su navegador o teléfono móvil. Haga clic a continuación para obtener más información. Microsoft Edge Google Chrome Safari iPhone Androide US Foods is one of America's great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 28,000 employees and more than 70 locations, US Foods provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and generates more than $28 billion in annual revenue. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more. US Foods may collect personal information from you in connection with the application process. US Foods complies with the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its policy may be found here. US Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Know Your Rights Pay Transparency policy statement is available here US Foods is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process or to perform essential job functions, please contact our US Foods Application Accommodation Line at 866-960-5886. You will be prompted to leave a message. Please state the specifics of the assistance needed and your contact information. A member of our HR department will return your call within two business days.