CAREERS

Position Reports To

CCO

Positions Supervised

None

JOB OVERVIEW

As a key member of the Commercial team reporting directly to the CCO, the Product Manager will develop relevant market and customer insights to what is valued / needed, then building relevant strategies for market communication and commercial implementation.  As the gluten product champion and expert for the portfolio, this position will contribute to the development and implementation of gluten and protein solutions across multiple market segments. The PM is responsible for the product planning and execution throughout assigned products lifecycle (includes prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining individual product vision, and working closely with R&D and operations) and support to ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met. Competitive applicants will be comfortable working independently, exhibiting and/or developing a strong voice to drive and deliver results, and striving to find a better way every day.

The following responsibilities are not limited to:

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Drive business innovation value creation platform initiatives to speed potential & timelines

• Develop clear assessment and understanding of relevant market size and accessibility.
• Build customer focused, data-driven approach to help direct resource allocation and emphasis.
• Link market fit and unmet needs with New Product Innovation effort.
• Create market (applications) specific approaches for targeted market segments.

Assess market opportunity and fit for new product initiatives

• Engage directly with key buying influences, validating and improving PFI’s value proposition.
• Assist with customer interface, prospecting and data gathering to support market fit, targets, etc.
• Coordinate with PFI sales team to develop and utilize non-traditional buying influences (outside purchasing, etc.)
• Provide regular updates / reporting on commercialization status, opportunities, and constraints.

Lead a successful commercialization process for new offerings

• Integrate a value-driven sales / go-to-market approach that facilitates optimal value capture in new product offerings.
• Manage commercial rollout of new products, including the requisite change required in the base vital wheat gluten platform.
• Develop and manage a qualified, stage-gated pipeline of customer confirmed opportunities including overall scope, determinants of success and resourcing required to capture new technology wins.
• Coordinate / manage change effect via interface with internal (mfg., QA, etc.) stakeholders.
• Assure that new wins are captured and tracked, including ongoing insights / learning from customer base.

SKILLS

• Proven strong ability to understand, define and develop effective strategies to capture new value streams based in an expedited manner.
• Demonstrated hands-on results orientation. Achieves results with limited resources and successfully navigates internal and external stakeholder conflicts and constraints.
• Builds strong, trust-based partnerships that lead to superior execution, facilitating speed to market
• Well-developed organizational ability, experience in B-to-B ingredients marketing, product line management
• Direct experience in leading new product/technology rollouts and commercialization programs
• Proven experience in sales & new business development assignments demonstrating ability to effectively interact with broad base of internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail oriented, with good understanding of which items are critical to success, ability to work within a disciplined go to market process.
• Strong Problem-solving orientation, ability to analyze a situation and assess alternatives.
• Strong Verbal and Written Communication skill
• Ability to work and function effectively as part of a broad based, multifunctional team with “hands-on” contribution emphasis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline, Food Science, Business, etc.
• Product Development/Applications experience preferred
• 6-12 years’ experience in Sales, New Business Development, Marketing in ingredients B-to-B environment
• Experience in technically differentiated plant protein ingredients, preferably in wheat-based products.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or other related finance fields.
• The ideal candidate should have strong finance knowledge and analytical skills.
• Experience developing analysis and presentation material
• Proficient at Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) applications with emphasis on high proficiency using MS Excel
• Experience using BI tools and applications a plus
• Self-motivated and self-directed, with a high sense of urgency
• Highest standards of accuracy and precision; highly organized
• Attention to details with ability to think “big picture” and understand the key trends and levers that drive the business
• Ability to operate under tight deadlines and manage relationships
• A strong team player with great cross group collaboration skills, communication, and presentation skills

Physical Abilities and Requirements of this Position

• This job will require frequent travel and may occasionally require lifting of up to 50 pounds.