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JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Director of R&D will co-lead product innovation, renovation, and commercialization efforts across multiple food categories, including dressings, sauces, pet treats, frozen meals, and cookies. This role combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to drive consumer-centric innovation while ensuring compliance with food safety, regulatory, and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Product Development & Commercialization
• Lead product development across multiple food categories, delivering innovation and renovation in partnership with 3PL contract manufacturers.
• Guide cross-functional teams using project management tools to ensure on-time execution from ideation through commercialization.
• Attend and approve pilot trials and process validations with co-packers to meet quality, cost, and launch objectives.
• Maintain and evolve R&D systems, including formula repositories, specifications, retain samples, and process documentation.

2. Manufacturing & Supplier Partnerships
• Build and manage relationships with co-packers, external partners, and suppliers to scale product and process innovations.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) across all contract manufacturing locations.
• Lead supplier verification programs and conduct audits to ensure ingredient and packaging supplier compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Encourage or require third-party food safety certifications (e.g., SQF, BRCGS) for all contract manufacturers.

3. Regulatory Compliance (Human & Pet Foods)
• Ensure full compliance with FDA regulations for acidified foods (21 CFR 108 & 114), including process filings, acidification controls, and pH validation.
• Work with Quality to meet FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR 117) under FSMA, including review of Copacker Food Safety Plans, hazard analyses, and preventive controls.
• Ensure pet products comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including exclusive use of GRAS or FDA/AAFCO-approved ingredients.
• Oversee copacker compliance with state registration requirements for both human and pet foods.
• Ensure FDA and AAFCO label compliance for both human and pet products, including Nutrition Facts, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and marketing claims.
• Verify all packaging materials meet FDA food-contact regulations (21 CFR 174–186) and prevent adulteration.
• Partner with Quality to maintain robust traceability, recall procedures, and batch recordkeeping systems for full compliance and product accountability.
• Collaborate with Legal and Regulatory teams to assess and manage risks related to ingredients, claims, and new processes.

4. Strategic & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Represent R&D in strategic forums and cross-functional decision-making, offering technical leadership and fact-based recommendations.
• Support quality and food safety standards in partnership with the Sr. Director of Quality.
• Oversee and manage the R&D operating budget.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• 10–15 years of food & beverage product development experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven expertise in Food Safety by Design and risk mitigation during product development.
• Deep familiarity with U.S. FDA regulations for acidified foods (21 CFR 108 & 114) is required.
• Demonstrated ability to translate consumer insights into successful food products.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to influence across all levels and disciplines.
• Hands-on experience with bench work, pilot trials, and commercialization.
• Strong sensory and culinary capabilities; passion for food quality and innovation.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
• Consumer-Centric: Food quality is paramount. Marketing reflects the consumer's perspective.
• Speed to Market: The organization values rapid progress. Failure is an opportunity for quick iteration or adjustment. Major decisions are made within 48 hours rather than several weeks.
• Simplicity: Adhere to a one-page rule for concise communication. Ensure initial discussion before documentation. The focus is brand and category strategies. Prioritize elements we can control.
• Accountability: We take responsibility for results. Meetings begin with a purpose and end with clear next steps. Everyone actively participates at Newman’s Own—no passive observers.
• Professional and Organizational Pride: We take pride in quality work and always stay committed to excellence. We’re connected & invested in our purpose of giving 100% of our profits to help children in need.

TRAVEL
Willingness to travel up to 25%. Occasional local day travel as needed. This is a hybrid position that requires working from the Westport, CT office up to 4 days per week.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is an office-based role with minimal physical requirements.

To apply, please email your resume HERE.

JOB SUMMARY
The Director of E-Commerce, Amazon, is a results-driven professional, who will lead the end-to-end growth strategy and execution on the platform. This role focuses on accelerating channel expansion through the right pricing, pack architecture, and investment strategies tailored to Amazon, optimizing the 4Ps (Product, Price, Promotion, Placement), including managing the digital shelf experience, and delivering strong financial outcomes through strategic leadership, operational precision, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key priorities include the rapid launch of all existing shelf-stable categories, commercialization of channel-specific innovation, and close management of Amazon-specific P&L performance to ensure short-term cash-positive results.

This position requires deep knowledge of the Amazon Seller Central ecosystem. This leader will also be responsible for implementing a pragmatic approach to tracking market share and competitive activity within the Amazon ecosystem. Success requires close cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations, ensuring seamless execution, data alignment, and profitability across the business.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Amazon Strategy & Execution
• Own and execute the end-to-end Amazon business strategy, including sales and marketing strategy with full accountability for channel performance.
• Ensure the 4Ps are optimized for Amazon, including digital shelf accuracy and competitiveness.
• Launch and manage all existing shelf-stable categories, and lead the planning and commercialization of Amazon-specific innovations annually.
• Develop and manage a pragmatic approach to tracking category trends, competitive performance, and market share within Amazon.

Financial Ownership & Performance Management
• Lead forecasting for Amazon sales, inventory, and promotional demand in coordination with Finance and Operations.
• Monitor and manage the Amazon P&L, ensuring near-term profitability and cash-positive results.
• Provide regular performance reporting and insights to senior leadership, highlighting KPIs, risks, and growth opportunities.

Digital Optimization & Customer Experience
• Optimize digital advertising, SEO, content, and the customer experience to drive traffic, conversion, and growth.
• Track advertising performance and ROI to refine promotional plans and media spend.
• Stay current on Amazon platform changes, category dynamics, and emerging best practices to maintain competitive advantage.

Cross-Functional & Enterprise Collaboration
• Collaborate and lead cross-functional team of Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to align strategies, marketing, pricing, investments, and supply planning.
• Provide informal leadership to cross-functional teams and agency partners involved in Amazon initiatives.
• Share insights and align best practices with omni-channel customer teams to support broader retail performance.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of the Amazon ecosystem, particularly Seller Central, including digital shelf optimization, retail media, content strategy, and platform analytics. They should have a strong command of e-commerce fundamentals, financial acumen related to P&L ownership, and experience managing cross-functional initiatives across Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to forecast and manage performance against targets are essential.

Collaboration, communication, and a team-first mentality are critical to ensuring coordinated strategies and maximizing enterprise-wide performance. The candidate must be highly organized, results-oriented, and thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven environment, with a proactive mindset and the ability to drive execution with urgency and precision. They must also have third party agency experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5–7+ years of experience in e-commerce, with a strong focus on Amazon Seller Central; CPG or food industry experience a plus.
• Demonstrated success managing the Amazon business P&L, including pricing, promotions, advertising, and content strategy.
• Strong understanding of the 4Ps, digital shelf management, and Amazon search and media tools (e.g., Amazon Ads, Brand Analytics, etc.).
• Proficiency in forecasting, sales analytics, and using data to inform decisions and strategies.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, especially with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and project management skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong proficiency in Excel and experience with e-commerce analytics tools (e.g., Helium 10, Jungle Scout, Profitero, or similar platforms).
• Familiarity with omni-channel retail dynamics and experience supporting or collaborating with customer teams managing brick-and-mortar and hybrid retailers.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
• Consumer-Centric: Food quality is paramount. Marketing reflects the consumer's perspective.
• Speed to Market: The organization values rapid progress. Failure is an opportunity for quick iteration or adjustment. Major decisions are made within 48 hours rather than several weeks.
• Simplicity: Adhere to a one-page rule for concise communication. Ensure initial discussion before documentation. The focus is brand and category strategies. Prioritize elements we can control.
• Accountability: We take responsibility for results. Meetings begin with a purpose and end with clear next steps. Everyone actively participates at Newman’s Own—no passive observers.
• Professional and Organizational Pride: We take pride in quality work and always stay committed to excellence. We’re connected & invested in our purpose of giving 100% of our profits to help children in need.

WORK LOCATION AND TRAVEL
This is a hybrid position that requires working from the Westport, CT office up to 4 days per week. Occasional local day travel as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is an office-based role with minimal physical requirements.

To apply, please email your resume HERE.