Director of Product Development
Job Description
Job Title: Product Development Director
Department: Product Marketing, Strategy & Innovation
Position Reports to: Project Management & Communications Director, Interim Director of Marketing
Employment: W2, Full-Time, Salary, Exempt
Location: Hybrid (St. Augustine, FL Distribution Center; 3 days per week. Remote; 2 days per week). Distribution Center will be relocating to Palm Coast, FL. Non-local residents must be willing to travel to be considered.
PI Assessment Required to be Completed when Applying: Click here to complete
The Director of Product Development plays a pivotal part in shaping the future of ensuring every product we create is inspired, distinctive, and operationally executable from development through delivery.
It is our mission to create and share the experience of a more flavorful life. Do you have the passion to help us create that experience? Are you interested in being the driving force behind product vision, leading the full lifecycle of our portfolio across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories.
This role champions innovation from concept to shelf, overseeing product strategy, sourcing, quality, cost and commercialization with a relentless focus on brand integrity and market relevance.
As a cross-functional leader, the Director will guide a talented team of Product Category Managers, Project Coordinators, and Analysts while collaborating closely with Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Marketing, Operations, and Franchise stakeholders. Together, this team will bring new ideas to life that delight guests, strengthen our franchise network, and drive sustainable category growth and overall shelf management.
Strategize, Innovate, Research, Analyze, Lead, Collaborate and strive for the highest level of Quality. Does this sound like you? If so, the job may be right up your alley!
Essential job functions include but are not limited to:
Product Strategy & Innovation
Develop and execute product roadmaps across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories.
Identify market trends, consumer insights, and franchise needs to drive new product concepts.
Lead ideation and cross-functional collaboration to bring new SKUs and seasonal programs to market.
Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify new trends, consumer preferences, and gaps in the market.
Market Research and Analysis
Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify new trends, consumer preferences, and gaps in the market.
Leverage customer and franchisee feedback to inform the product roadmap and drive data-driven decisions.
Partner with franchise owners to pilot new products, collect field insights, and integrate real-time operational feedback to improve product performance and guest experience across diverse markets.
Analyze product performance data post-launch to inform future development cycles and measure success against KPIs.
Category Leadership
Manage and mentor a team of Product Category Managers, Coordinators and/or Specialists.
Ensure each category has clear strategy, timelines, and performance goals.
Oversee product lifecycle, from concept to launch to retirement.
Own category dashboards and lifecycle analytics, leveraging POS, e-commerce, and supply chain data to optimize SKU mix, forecast demand, and identify discontinuation or re-formulation opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with:
o Senior Director of Corporate Development to ensure product procurement is aligned with the brand vision and sustained growth plan.
o Supply Chain for sourcing, costing, and supplier relationships.
§ Champion sustainable sourcing, packaging innovation, and supplier transparency initiatives that align with brand promise and environmental responsibility goals.
o Marketing to align branding, packaging, positioning, naming, and launch campaigns.
o Franchise Operations for owner input and sell-in support.
o QA & Regulatory to ensure ingredient accuracy, certifications, and compliance.
Commercialization & Execution
Oversee timelines, costing, and margin targets for every product initiative.
Drive SKU launches for retail, wholesale, ecommerce, and seasonal programs.
Align product pipeline with production, distribution, and operational capacity.
Quality & Brand Standards
Ensure products meet brand expectations for flavor, consistency, packaging, and guest experience.
Collaborate with QA on labeling, certifications (organic, kosher, etc.), and ingredient integrity.
Project & Performance Management
Set goals, track KPIs, and report progress to the Senior Director of Corporate Development.
Oversee project timelines, P&Ls, and profitability targets by category.
Knowledge and Job Requirements:
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Food Science, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline.
7+ years of product development, category management, or CPG experience (preferably in food, beverage, or specialty consumables) with a minimum of 4 years in a managerial role.
Proven leadership, managing product teams, or category leads.
Strong understanding of consumer trends, sourcing, product lifecycle, and commercialization.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, and operations.
Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance creativity and execution.
Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail.
Adaptable and resourceful in a fast-paced, evolving retail and franchise environment.
Background in gourmet foods, teas, spices, or specialty retail, preferred.
Experience working with franchise networks or multi-channel product distribution, preferred.
Knowledge of regulatory standards and certifications for consumables, preferred.
A passion for high-quality food, tea, and flavor, preferred.
Leadership Style
Strategic, agile, and collaborative.
Leader and mentor, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Comfortable influencing unpretentiously and working within an evolving structure and growing brand.
Physical Requirements to perform the essential functions of this job:
Frequent travel by plane and car to Headquarters and to various Stores across the US.
Consistent ability to utilize hands and fingers to perform tasks as necessary for job duties, which may include operating machinery, handling materials, typing, and designing
Consistent capacity for visual acuity to monitor processes, examine materials and labels, and ensure quality standards are met
Consistently communicate in English utilizing both written and oral methods including the use of speech and hearing to communicate effectively with team members, customers, and the ability to engage in verbal discussions and listen attentively (8+ hours per day).
Ability to visually identify color, substance, products, and their characteristics
Operation of, but not limited to, office equipment, computers, and computer tools
Consistently work around spices; must not be sensitive or allergic to various scents, spices, fruits, extracts, aromas, or personal protective equipment (latex gloves)
W3Global was established in 2006 in Fremont, CA with a vision: simplify the recruiting process and develop an industry-disrupting platform to connect candidates with clients. Our cutting-edge Applicant Tracking System enables us to find the right person for the right job, creating value for job seekers and employers. While W3Global initially focused on IT staffing, we have expanded the business to serve many other industries, including accounting and finance, legal, engineering, human resources, government and more.
We’re proud of the investments we’ve made in our team, having grown from four to 1000 employees and evolving into one of the leading recruitment and staffing solution providers in the industry. Our recruiters and account managers are passionate about connecting qualified professionals with the right positions in small, medium, and large companies.
Our Services
W3Global understands the natural ups and downs of an organization’s staffing needs. We are continuously adapting to industry and economic changes to find the right candidates.
We specialize in placing permanent, direct, contract, and temporary positions for companies of any size. Our recruiting services include sourcing, recruiting, screening, interview management, salary negotiations, training, and onboarding.
We are committed to helping organizations redefine their recruitment process by delivering our SaaS-based proprietary application tracking system software.
Our Expertise
W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs.
As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.
