Head of Private Brand and Product Development
over 2 years ago
Full time role
San Francisco, CA, US
San Francisco, CA, US
Job Description
About Imperfect
Imperfect Foods was founded in 2015 with a mission to reduce food waste and build a better food system for everyone. We offer imperfect (yet delicious) produce, affordable pantry items, and quality meat and dairy. We deliver them conveniently to our customers’ doorsteps and pride ourselves on offering up to a 30% discount compared to grocery store prices. Our customers can get the healthy, seasonal produce they want alongside the grocery staples they rely on, without having to compromise their budget or values. We’re proving that doing the right thing for the planet doesn’t have to cost more, and that shopping for quality ingredients can support the people and resources that it takes to grow our favorite foods.
We're headquartered in San Francisco with operations all over the country. Check our website to see if there is an Imperfect near you!
Please consider completing the optional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) survey below. Doing so will help keep us accountable to the DEI commitments we have made as a company. By choosing to disclose elements of your identity, you are informing us about our candidate pool and the ways we can continue to improve making Imperfect Foods an inclusive company for everyone. Responses will in no way affect your candidacy for the position you apply for. Information collected will be kept secure and confidential and will be used solely to evaluate our DEI efforts. We thank you in advance for helping us to become a better company for people of all backgrounds.
About the Role:The primary focus is to provide effective leadership and technical “know-how” to enable the Category function to deliver excellence in new product innovation and private label penetration, convert existing branded products into private label and lead recyclable and sustainable packaging initiatives. The Head of Private Brand and Product Development is responsible for deeply understanding emerging market/food trends, technologies in food, and application of new food technologies to our products and processes. The role is central to commercializing new products and product improvements from concept to scale in the plant. This dynamic individual manages a team of product developers and will lead company innovation actions to create a product portfolio to meet our strategic plan of 80% private labeled goods for sale to our consumers. Private label will also influence our marketing and branding strategies. Position reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer/Head of Merchandising.
DEI programming is available for all employees and we highly encourage staff participation. It is only with everyone’s unique perspectives, experiences, and beliefs that we can help shape a culture of belonging and create an environment where all Imperfectionists are celebrated.
U.S. E-Verify Notice: Imperfect Foods participates in E-Verify in the United States. Imperfect will provide the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
COVID update for on-site employees: All Imperfect Foods employees must be fully vaccinated to be on-site or at company functions. For roles that require an employee to be on-site to fulfill their job functions: job offers are contingent on providing proof of vaccination (e.g., a copy of a vaccine card or other similar official document confirming vaccination status).
At Imperfect Foods, employee health and safety is our top priority. We have implemented processes and precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. We provide gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer to all essential employees who must report to work. Before entering our warehouse, employees have their temperatures checked. In addition, we take great care to ensure frequently touched surfaces are sanitized throughout the day and all warehouses are fully sanitized weekly.
We have also implemented an Emergency Sick Leave policy providing full-time and part-time employees 2 additional weeks of paid time off and up to 26 weeks paid leave if they have a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Imperfect Foods was founded in 2015 with a mission to reduce food waste and build a better food system for everyone. We offer imperfect (yet delicious) produce, affordable pantry items, and quality meat and dairy. We deliver them conveniently to our customers’ doorsteps and pride ourselves on offering up to a 30% discount compared to grocery store prices. Our customers can get the healthy, seasonal produce they want alongside the grocery staples they rely on, without having to compromise their budget or values. We’re proving that doing the right thing for the planet doesn’t have to cost more, and that shopping for quality ingredients can support the people and resources that it takes to grow our favorite foods.
We're headquartered in San Francisco with operations all over the country. Check our website to see if there is an Imperfect near you!
Please consider completing the optional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) survey below. Doing so will help keep us accountable to the DEI commitments we have made as a company. By choosing to disclose elements of your identity, you are informing us about our candidate pool and the ways we can continue to improve making Imperfect Foods an inclusive company for everyone. Responses will in no way affect your candidacy for the position you apply for. Information collected will be kept secure and confidential and will be used solely to evaluate our DEI efforts. We thank you in advance for helping us to become a better company for people of all backgrounds.
About the Role:The primary focus is to provide effective leadership and technical “know-how” to enable the Category function to deliver excellence in new product innovation and private label penetration, convert existing branded products into private label and lead recyclable and sustainable packaging initiatives. The Head of Private Brand and Product Development is responsible for deeply understanding emerging market/food trends, technologies in food, and application of new food technologies to our products and processes. The role is central to commercializing new products and product improvements from concept to scale in the plant. This dynamic individual manages a team of product developers and will lead company innovation actions to create a product portfolio to meet our strategic plan of 80% private labeled goods for sale to our consumers. Private label will also influence our marketing and branding strategies. Position reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer/Head of Merchandising.
Responsibilities:
- Own the company’s private label penetration targets to meet strategic goals
- Drive revenue by ensuring our assortment is represented with major food trends and technology
- Leverage and act on consumer trends to develop impactful new products that deliver a superior point of difference/flavor advantage
- Monitor technical trends in food, flavor, and packaging in order to determine private label opportunities and anticipate consumers’ desires for these products
- Demonstrate expertise in food science/product safety techniques and methodologies to bring innovative products to life
- Future-focused “catalyst for the organization” seeking new ways to enhance current products and introduce new concepts to the organization
- Provide technical insight to inform our strategic and annual business planning process specific to new product breakthroughsOKR’s tied to departmental goals and tracked
- Cultivate a robust and active pipeline of innovation identifying new concepts for products and technologies through consumer research/insights, technology, and marketing
- Oversee the stage-gate process of pipeline innovation and effectively manage the timely delivery of profitable new products and projects
- Effectively report progress via identification and implementation of new reporting tools to accelerate performance through planning, cadence, and action
- Create a nimble sensory research/expert panel process to approve taste and product
- Lead grocery team by elevating private label competency, centered on creativity/inspired flavors, good process and project management/delivery to expectation
Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience forming collaborative working processes with Brand Management, Marketing and Merchandising teams, while ensuring seamless workflows
- Experience working on projects with a focus on “speed to market”
- Expertise in food science/ product safety
- Experience working with private label products is a strong positive
- Exceptional vision and tactical know-how
- Minimum of 5 years experience
- Proficient with Excel, Google Suite, and Asana
About You:
- You have a strong understanding and passion for emerging market/food trends
- You have experience commercializing new products and product improvements
- You challenge the status quo through thoughtful and fact-based solutions
- You are committed to communicate, promote and support the company vision and values, and model the expected behaviors
- You possess an inquisitive mind, challenging norms and seeking break-through solutions
- You’re passionate about our mission to eliminate food waste and create a better food system for all
Details of the Position:
- Full-time/ exempt position reporting to the Vice President of Merchandising
- Remote position
- Salary and employee stock options commensurate with experience
- Competitive benefits package including health care, paid vacation, 401K, paid parental leave, and recurring credit towards your Imperfect account!
Physical Requirements:
- Sedentary work; involves sitting most of the time
- Occasional movement around the office may be necessary
- Regular work with computers, including keyboards, mouses, and screens
- Regular use of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets
- Limited domestic travel as necessary
DEI programming is available for all employees and we highly encourage staff participation. It is only with everyone’s unique perspectives, experiences, and beliefs that we can help shape a culture of belonging and create an environment where all Imperfectionists are celebrated.
U.S. E-Verify Notice: Imperfect Foods participates in E-Verify in the United States. Imperfect will provide the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
COVID update for on-site employees: All Imperfect Foods employees must be fully vaccinated to be on-site or at company functions. For roles that require an employee to be on-site to fulfill their job functions: job offers are contingent on providing proof of vaccination (e.g., a copy of a vaccine card or other similar official document confirming vaccination status).
At Imperfect Foods, employee health and safety is our top priority. We have implemented processes and precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our facilities. We provide gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer to all essential employees who must report to work. Before entering our warehouse, employees have their temperatures checked. In addition, we take great care to ensure frequently touched surfaces are sanitized throughout the day and all warehouses are fully sanitized weekly.
We have also implemented an Emergency Sick Leave policy providing full-time and part-time employees 2 additional weeks of paid time off and up to 26 weeks paid leave if they have a confirmed case of COVID-19.
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