Summary:
Leads development, formulation, improvement, and commercialization of JOLLY TIME and other APCC popcorn products, with particular emphasis on microwave popcorn. Translates product concepts into scalable manufacturing processes that meet consumer, customer, operational and cost expectations.
Essential Responsibilities:
Product Development & Formulation
- Manage new product and product improvement projects from concept and bench formulation through plant trials, commercialization, and launch
- Develop and maintain formulations involving kernels, fats, oils, flavors, seasonings, slurry systems, and ingredient functionality
- Establish and refine mixing, blending, and other critical processing parameters; troubleshoot formula and process performance with production
Commercialization and Operations
- Coordinate plant trials, production scale-up, launch readiness, and documented handoffs to Operations and Quality
- Maintain accurate recipes, bills of materials, and item/formula set up information in the ERP in partnership with appropriate departments
- Evaluate product performance, popping results, sensory attributes, shelf life, packaging interactions, and production feasibility
Innovation, Ingredients, and Suppliers
- Manage a prioritized product innovation pipeline aligned with commercial strategy, customer opportunities, and plant capabilities
- Research and evaluate ingredients, packaging, alternative suppliers, and cost or performance improvements in coordination with Purchasing & Quality
- Participate in innovation leadership and business development discussions; identify potential intellectual property risks or opportunities and coordinate appropriate review
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Partner with Quality on allergen and regulatory reviews, specifications, labeling inputs, product validation, and food safety approval before launch
- Work with Marketing, Sales, Purchasing & Production on customer requirements, launch schedules, costs, and supply feasibility
- Lead, coach, and develop the Product Development Specialist; assign priorities and support hands-on experimentation, documentation, and technical problem-solving
- Document project results and promote repeatable bench-to-line development practices
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully an individual must have the following: A bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry, or related discipline. Significant progressive experience in food product or process development in a manufacturing environment. Hands-on formulation experience with fats, oils, and ingredient functionality. Demonstrated experience launch products from bench through commercial production. Experience mentoring or supervising technical staff. Microwave popcorn, snack foods, or shelf-stable product experience preferred. Mixing, blending, slurry systems, and statistical process control preferred. ERP recipe / BOM experience, intellectual property exposure, and HACCP/ FSMA familiarity preferred.
Skills and Competencies:
The Product Development Manager must possess strong leadership, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills; with the ability to guide product innovation from concept through production. This position requires a solid understanding of food science, ingredient functionality, product formulation, packaging and manufacturing processes. Strong project management and organizational skills are essential to effectively manage multiple initiatives, prioritize resources, and meet established deadlines. The individual must demonstrate creativity, analytical thinking, and sound decision-making while balancing product quality, cost, and customer expectations, and production capabilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are necessary to collaborate with employees across departments, including Production, Quality, Purchasing, Marketing, & Sales. This role must also demonstrate the ability to lead and develop employees, embrace change, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and support the company’s commitment to innovation and it’s TACT Core Values.
Work Environment:
The work environment is both an office setting at a manufacturing facility and in the manufacturing facility itself. The environment is often dynamic and collaborative, with collaboration being essential in this role. Employees will contribute to overall production goals, with office employees supporting the efficiency and effectiveness of the manufacturing processes. The manufacturing facility involves hands-on tasks, machinery operation, and adherence to GMPs. This setting requires attention to detail, adherence to protocols, and the ability to adapt to the demands of the production schedule. Working hours outside of standard office hours may be required.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires a combination of sitting and standing throughout the workday. You will need to regularly engage in tasks that involve sitting at a desk for data entry and analysis, as well as administrative duties. You will also need to engage in tasks that require periods of standing, mobility and interaction with team members. This role requires adaptability to the changing demands of tasks and responsibilities. May be occasional lifting of supplies, typically not exceeding 20 pounds. No harmful exposure.
General:
At American Pop Corn Company, our culture is built on our TACT values – Teamwork, Always Learning, Customer First, & Tenacious. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees treat one another with respect, communicate openly, and work collaboratively toward shared goals. Every employee plays an important role in our success. We are expected to support one another, remain adaptable, and step in when needed to help teammates or serve our customers. Employees are responsible for maintaining our high standards of safety, quality, and sanitation while identifying opportunities to solve problems, improve processes, and increase efficiency. By embracing our continuous learning, taking ownership of our work, and consistently putting our customers first, we strengthen our team and contribute to the long-term success of the Company What about benefits? American Pop Corn Company has an amazing benefits package! Here are just some of our great benefits:
- FREE family health and dental insurance. That's right - JOLLY TIME doesn't charge for these benefits - and it's a major medical plan with full coverage!
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) with a 4% match
- 6 paid holidays
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Referral Bonus
- & More!
EOE post-offer drug screen required. E-verify. APCC is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.