Job Summary:
We are looking to strengthen our Food Service development team and therefore wish to add a dedicated Product Manager Fiber Packaging to focus on our growing food service business.
As a Product Manager you effectively balance the customer expectations towards the commercial, technical and design aspects during product developments. There is a team of engineers, designers and manufacturing experts that will support you as a team, hence communication is important.
Responsible for new product development and the product development process
✓ You are Involved in co-development projects with our key customers. The Product Manager explores the needs and possibilities with the customer, translates them into a clear development to the rest of the organization, to then manage this development from beginning to end.
✓ You will also turn the learnings and briefings based on our portfolio analysis into concrete new products.
✓ A technical and operational understanding of fiber products (Wet moulded fiber, cardboard, fiber, barriers,..) to identify and implement the right product functionalities is an advantage.
✓ You understand the interests of the various stakeholders to make balanced decisions.
✓ Project management skills are key. You manage projects, and give direction especially to sales, design, engineering, quality and procurement … to create the best customer solution.
✓ You lead communication sessions with the customer for product development related topics.
✓ Support sales in presentations to customers and create a level of excitement.
✓ You give feedback to the product portfolio team so they can adjust portfolio strategy based on your insights.
✓ Retain high level of market, technical and product knowledge.
Responsible for the specifications of a product /development
✓ Define specification of product solutions as input for the deal making process.
✓ Make sure the specifications are in line with the customer expectations on usage of the products, operations, logistics
✓ Responsible for the product approval process
✓ Adjust specs and products based on learnings from quality
✓ Propose specs changes to enhance profitability
Qualifications
Education:
- Product development /Engineering education – Master or similar by work experience
Work Experience:
- Minimum 3 years of work experience in product management / product development / product engineering
Skills:
- Technical knowledge on food packaging products: Specifically fiber products, additional knowledge on food packaging production techniques is a plus: thermoforming, injection molding, plastic materials, hotmeal solutions, sealing applications, barriers…. (functionality, specifications, production processes)
- Product development process know-how. (how to develop a product from brief up to delivering a signed of production sample)
- Market knowledge: Food service and Quick service Restaurants
- Notion of compliance and changing legislation
- Clear presentation and communication skills (written and oral)
- Project management skills
- Analytical skills to perform product analysis and to define processes.
- Computer and software knowledge (powerpoint, excel, word).Knowledge of ArtiosCAD is a plus.
Competencies:
- Customer and solution-oriented mindset. Entrepreneurial attitude.
- You have an open mind and offer different perspectives on problems related to customers, products, processes and production techniques.
- You apply attention to details and clear follow up in your projects.
- Team player with ability to function in cross-functional contexts (both as leader and team member)
- Down to earth, able to get along with manufacturing workers, customers and direct colleagues
- Flexible, both in task diversification and in working hours
- Take ownership and responsibility
- Well organized, accurate
Language and travel:
- Fluent English in speaking & writing
- Knowledge of Dutch is a plus
- Willingness to travel internationally. Mostly short trips.
