As the world leader in nutrition, health and wellness for children from birth to preschool, Gerber Products Company is committed to creating a strong future. We joined the Nestle Nutrition family in 2007, and have been a partner in parenthood ever since. Our Anything for Baby team works closely with experts to create products that enrich and establish healthy habits for children, and are good for the planet as well. A career at Gerber provides meaningful opportunities to develop professionally, and nurture generations to come. Now is the time to define your future, and ours too.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Position Summary

Individual selected will serve as the Product Development Lead on project teams to deliver the Innovation & Renovation portfolio within the Nestle Nutrition division, with focus on powdered fortified beverages and cereals. Projects will be diverse and across markets.

Position Description:

• Lead product development projects or portions of projects, creating documents and published reports.
• Perform technical assignments, develop innovative approaches and solutions, and provide technical advice to others deploying standards.
• Collaborate internally and externally to continuously improve technical skills and personal development.

Responsibilities:

• Development and improvement of specially formulated infant products, such as powdered milk beverages and cereals. You will work closely with the teams in factories and producing markets to implement the Innovation & Renovation strategy specifically tailored to these product categories, ensuring that they meet the highest quality and safety standards for infants and toddlers.
• Collaboration with key stakeholders for driving product innovation and improvement. These stakeholders can include Product Developers at Affiliate Markets, Project Managers, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Engineering, Packaging, Factories, Marketing, Co-Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams. Your ability to effectively collaborate and influence these stakeholders, despite geographical distances, will be crucial in developing, industrializing, and launching a complex range of Innovation & Renovation projects.
• Continuous improvement and optimization of current products and processes for infant products. Coordinate industrial trials and joint recipe development. Leading technical projects aimed at technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity.
• Ensure adherence to all quality/compliance by design, Technical Acceptance and mandatory release standards. Ensuring adherence to Nestle requirements (Compliance Assessment Tool), external standards, and the local regulatory framework specific to infant products. This includes identifying, influencing, and leading the development of product and process standards within the Nestle systems to guarantee the highest levels of quality, safety, and compliance.
• Leading discussions with affiliate markets and local factories to identify cost savings opportunities and foster collaboration. This includes analyzing processes, materials, and operations to identify areas where cost efficiencies can be achieved for the specially formulated infant products.
• Continuous improvement of technical skills and personal development in the field of infant products. This can involve staying updated on the latest advancements in infant nutrition, attending relevant training programs, and actively participating in industry networks and forums, as well as acting as the coaching and training resource for product and process mastership. Provide guidance and input to Operations for Standard Operating Procedures.
• Safety remains a top priority in the manufacturing of specially formulated infant products. Maintaining safe behaviors within the factory environment, ensuring that all processes and operations adhere to strict safety protocols.

Leadership skills

• Ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrate courage and initiative to influence with integrity.
• Comfortable leading discussions and communicating within project teams.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and manage expectations.
• Acts as a change agent.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in food science or a similar technical engineering field.
• 5-8 years of experience in product development or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Experience with fortified dried beverages, dairy production, extrusion, and/or roller drying technology is a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment with minimal direct supervision.
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead project teams.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Globe SAP.

Working conditions:

• Approximately 25% travel, including international (Mexico).
• Corporate role based in the Ft. Smith, AR factory.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestle. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestle home.

The Nestle Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer* seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.comor please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467

*Note: Nespresso is not a federal contractor and does not maintain affirmative action programs

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