Product Development Manager - FTC
Core
Lead the end-to-end development, launch, and improvement of fresh dog food products, managing the NPD pipeline from concept to scale-up and ensuring compliance with nutrition standards.
Role type
Senior Product Development Manager (Pet Food)
Builds
Fresh dog meal products and recipes for Butternut Box and Marro
Domain
Pet food industry, food science, and nutrition
Required skills
New Product Development (NPD) management, pet nutrition expertise, FEDIAF guidelines knowledge, kitchen scale-up and trials, project leadership across multiple sites, commercial costing and margin analysis, technical documentation and audit readiness, supplier partnership management, cross-functional program leadership
Preferred skills
Experience launching market-first products requiring new equipment, experience with BRC audits, ability to influence senior leadership and co-founders, hands-on problem-solving in production environments
Technologies
FEDIAF guidelines, BRC standards, kitchen production equipment, recipe costing tools
Responsibilities
Set strategic direction for fresh dog meals and manage the NPD pipeline; Lead the launch of a new market-first product requiring new equipment and production capability; Own kitchen trials and scale-up from bench to full production; Ensure all recipes meet FEDIAF guidelines and internal nutrition standards; Manage NPD budget and partner with Finance on costing and margins; Lead cross-functional programs across Operations, Technical, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams; Mentor team members and drive continuous improvement in product quality and range
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with strategic decision-making authority