Job Description:
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.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
• 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.
• A deep technical and operational understanding of QSR product (plastic materials, 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.
• Outline the product development strategy for specific markets: gather customer, market,
competitor and supplier information to identify next (proactive) product developments.
• 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 profitabilit
Requirements
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Product development /Engineering education – Master or similar by work experience
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in product management / product development /
product engineering
• Technical knowledge on food packaging products: thermoforming, injection molding, plastic
materials, hotmeal solutions, sealing applications, barriers…. (functionality, specifications,
production processes)
• Product development process know-how. (how to develop a product, how to put it on the
market…)
• Market knowledge: Food service and QSR
• Notion of compliance and changing legislation
• Feeling and understanding of design (product/graphical design)
• 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)
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