Senior Director, Product Development

ABOUT US AT KINDER'S:

We are a fast-growing company working hard to bring amazing flavor solutions to consumers that are as exciting and delicious as they are simple to use. Whether we are serving the emerging cook or seasoned pro, we are 100% committed to our mission of bringing awesome flavor to consumers wherever and whenever they are looking for it and in whatever form they want it in be it seasonings, sauces, gravies, marinades, or anything else we can dream up. We drive hard to be the most quality-obsessed, innovative company in any market we serve and while we have experienced tremendous growth over the last 5 years, we think we are just getting started. We love our consumers and are fired up to be part of their flavor journey, and we need more great people to help us continue to raise the bar for what consumers think is even possible in their own kitchens.

Today, we have over 100 products sold nationwide at retailers including Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway and many more. While we have been around for over 75 years, we have experienced explosive growth in the last 5 years and are now a top 5 brand in the U.S. in multiple flavor categories including seasoning blends, BBQ sauce, and wing sauce. To keep our momentum rolling, we need more passionate flavor advocates and builders to come and join our team and help us reach every kitchen across the U.S. and maybe even the world.

How You Will Have an Impact at Kinder’s: The Senior Director of Product Development at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in leading the team that drives our core product innovation and renovation projects. Reporting to the SVP of Product & Innovation, you will be responsible for the management and leadership of a team of product developers, focusing on bringing best-in-class products to market with industry-leading speed. In this multifaceted role, you will collaborate with internal teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and third-party partners to execute key line extensions, including new flavors and packaging formats, and renovate existing products to improve cost, quality, and overall consumer value. You will be responsible for building and supporting a world-class team, with a flexible approach that can easily transition between coaching/mentorship and a hands-on style where necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Development Management & Leadership:

• Drive the end-to-end development of key line extensions, from concept to commercialization, including new flavors and new packaging formats.
• Support the commercial scale-up of new products, ensuring a seamless transition from development to launch.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders (Brand Management, Sales, Innovation, Project Management) to identify development priorities and translate them into an aggressive, cohesive and attainable project plan.
• Ensure market-leading speed to market and volume of innovation, while delivering against the high quality standards of the brand.
• Build a culture of strong product design excellence including application of design-for-manufacturability and design-for-margin principles.

Product Platform Maintenance & Optimization:

• Partner with R&D leadership to transition new product platforms from the R&D phase to long-term product development.
• Implement learnings from key R&D projects (e.g. clean-label evolutions, quality / technical upgrades)
• Partner with Brand Management, Finance, and Project Management teams to identify and prioritize key opportunities to drive improved product margins while sustaining or increasing product quality.
• Lead the team in the renovation of key existing products to improve cost, quality, and overall consumer value.
• Partner with cross-functional SWAT teams to drive key renovation /optimization projects based on quality standards, financial goals and aggressive attainment timelines.

Process Leadership & Documentations:

• Lead the review and maintenance of all product documentation, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for key internal and external partners.
• Effectively communicate product specifications and critical information to commercialization partners, including creative/packaging design teams, the quality department, and key external partners (including co-packers).
• Drive a project hindsight process to capture key insights and incorporate them into future project team briefing and project prioritization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Team Leadership:

• Lead and mentor a team of product developers, guiding key projects supporting the core product platforms of the business.
• Partner closely with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Finance) to drive project alignment and ensure successful delivery of key programs.
• Facilitate project team meetings, create and present status reports, and provide clear communication on project risks and opportunities to departmental and senior leadership.
• Act as a champion for the Product Development process, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You Bring to the Table

Education / Experience

• 12-15+ years of experience in product development, innovation management, or a similar field. CPG experience, including at least some advanced experience in food development required.
• Proven experience leading the development and commercial scale-up of key line extensions and product renovations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams including both internal and external stakeholders.
• Consumer-obsessed innovator with a passion for turning consumer needs into high value product solutions.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing product development and commercialization strategies.
• Data-driven mindset, with the ability to analyze efficiently and make data-backed decisions quickly.
• Proven people-centric leader with an emphasis on driving performance through culture and mentorship.
• Bachelor's degree. Technical degree (e.g. food science, chemistry / engineering, etc.), while not required, is a significant plus.

Personal Characteristics

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

Things About the Way We Work

• No two days here are the same.
• We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don't live by hierarchy and structure - everyone is a difference maker here.
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information - our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
• We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
• We aren't trying to be average - we want to do exceptional things and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
• We have a collaborative work environment and work onsite in Walnut Creek, CA.