| Job Description: |
General Summary of Position
Act as an integral part of the Innovation and Quality team by supporting Exclusive Brand product development, technical requirements and project workflow. Work with the procurement team to evaluate vendor-proposed product samples and related specifications for new and existing food products and consumer goods. Provide final product information to the Nutrition/Compliance and Specification Analysts
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead in the collection and assessment of information on buyer preference, competitor products and other business intelligence to make sound development recommendations on behalf of the Innovation & Quality team
- Facilitate project completion by being liaison for product samples and technical specifications in development
- Execute product cuttings, benchmarking and periodic ongoing quality reviews of Exclusive Brands products
- Conduct research, perform data analysis and provide accurate results and recommendations for final products as necessary
- Communicate specification evaluations to Specification Analyst and cross functional team in a timely manner
- Perform technical reviews of Nutrition Facts Panels against formulas and vendor specifications
- Evaluate, validate and finalize product preparation and cooking instructions for Exclusive Brands products
- Track and manage product first production dates and requirements; resolve action items with vendors
- Evaluate, approve and release finished product samples for shipment and sale as necessary
- Assure accuracy and integrity of information by adhering to WFM core values, quality and brand standards
- Resolve quality standards discrepancies and product quality concerns with internal teams and vendor as necessary
- Assist with data entry, transfer and workflow of technical information utilizing web-based project management applications
- Work on special projects as assigned such as evaluating competitive product, and application of new policies, processes and technologies.
- Develop and implement methods and procedures to assist in interdepartmental communication and project monitoring
- Perform other miscellaneous product development duties as necessary
Requirements and Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Quality Assurance or related field
- Must have knowledge of Food Science and Nutrition as it relates to CPG products
- Must have good understanding of product quality control and assurance
- Must possess the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and deliver against rapid development timelines
- Must be detail oriented and extremely organized
- Must possess excellent communication skills and possess the ability to excel in cross-functional team settings
- Must have computer proficiency and familiarity with most Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio
Preferences
- 3 years experience working in the consumer packaged goods or ingredient industries
- In-depth understanding of product development and related business processes
- Experience developing natural and organic products is a plus
- Sensory evaluation experience and skills are a plus
- A passion for food and strong culinary skills are a plus
- Knowledge of food labeling and FDA/USDA regulations is helpful
- General understanding of product development, manufacturing and commercialization
- Familiarity of retailer web based specification systems would be ideal.
- Good typing skills and accuracy
About Us:
At Whole Foods Market, we empower our Team Members to make their own decisions, thus creating an environment where people are treated with respect and are highly motivated to excel. We mentor Team Members through education and on-the-job experience. As a result, we are able to fill a majority of leadership roles from our existing Team Member base. We also recognize that there are individuals with talent outside of Whole Foods Market, and have training programs to bring those new leaders into the company.
Our Team Members represent over 50 different nations. We are people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, yet all work together to meet the needs of our customers.
We offer great benefits beginning with a full complement of medical and other traditional group health plan coverage, 401k plan, and a 20% discount at our stores. To learn more, apply your passion today.
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