Director of Product Development for Natural Deli & Fresh Products

Description

 Join the Fresh Revolution with F&S Fresh Foods!

Headquartered in Vineland, NJ, F&S Fresh Foods is leading the way in fresh-cut fruit, vegetables, and meal solutions distribution. With the recent acquisition of five additional state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we now deliver to customers across the United States and Canada —every single day!

For over 40 years, we’ve been redefining production and safety processes, building strong partnerships, and creating endless possibilities for our diverse customers—from restaurants and supermarket prepared food operations to convenience store chains and beyond. At F&S, we are fueling families with nutrition, innovation, and convenience, turning meals into memorable moments. By combining cutting-edge technology, deep-rooted customer relationships, and operational excellence, we are shaping the future of fresh—from farm to family.

We’re not just about food; we’re about people. Recognized as a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years, our team of 2,100 full-time employees drives our culture forward by living our values every day.

If you’re ready to be part of a company that values innovation, excellence, and community impact, join us as we embrace our next exciting chapter of growth. Together, we’re planting the seeds of progress and nourishing a fresh, healthy future for everyone!

Join Our Team as a Director of Product Development for Natural Deli and Fresh Products

 Leveraging your Corporate Chef background in the Natural Deli and Fresh Products category, you will be the culinary leader responsible for driving innovation, product development, and strategic direction for a leading fresh prepared foods and produce company.  

Located in Vineland, NJ, this role blends culinary artistry with business acumen, leveraging your expertise in fresh, natural, and deli product development to create craveable, on-trend offerings that meet the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers. You'll collaborate cross-functionally with operations, marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to bring ideas from the kitchen to the shelf—delivering excellence in flavor, quality, and execution.

About the Role  

• Develop and implement a strategic product development roadmap for deli and produce categories tailored to the Natural/Organic channel, aligning with company objectives and market opportunities.
• Serve as a key customer-facing expert—leading culinary demonstrations, ideation sessions, and technical presentations in collaboration with the sales team.
• Own and manage the innovation pipeline, guiding projects from ideation and concept development through testing, commercialization, and post-launch evaluation.
• Translate consumer and market insights into trend-forward product concepts tailored for the Natural/Organic retail channel.
• Build and document gold standard recipes, conduct sensory evaluations, and lead shelf-life testing with regulatory and quality assurance teams to ensure food safety, compliance, and consistency.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to identify and source high-quality, sustainable ingredients and packaging solutions.
• Partner with production and operations teams to scale up recipes, optimize formulations for commercial viability, and guide investments in kitchen or plant equipment to support innovation.
• Partner with the pricing team to establish cost estimates for new products and track throughout the development process to ensure formulations meet cost and margin objectives.
• Lead shelf-life assessments for finished products and ingredients (as needed) and work with regulatory and quality assurance teams to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor competition and category innovation, identifying and evaluating food trends with a rolling two-year horizon that support business and customer strategies.
• Work closely with sales and marketing to uncover consumer insights and identify unmet needs and opportunities for innovation.
• Assist in developing compelling product positioning, branding, trade show presence, and go-to-market strategies.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing culinary and R&D team, fostering a culture of creativity, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Support productivity and cost optimization by improving existing recipes while preserving taste, quality, and consumer satisfaction.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for culinary and product development success.

Requirements

What you'll Bring 

We’re looking for an innovative, consumer-obsessed culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Here’s what sets you apart:

• Culinary Innovation: Passionate about creating flavorful, on-trend, clean-label products rooted in fresh ingredients and natural preparation methods.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance creativity with business strategy and develop culinary plans that drive category growth.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Inspires cross-functional teams and leads with a hands-on, solutions-driven approach.
• Trend Awareness: Deep understanding of emerging food trends, dietary lifestyles, and evolving consumer preferences.
• Operational Savvy: Comfortable bridging the gap between culinary creativity and manufacturing reality; skilled at scaling recipes for commercial production.
• Customer-Focused: Experienced in partnering with retailers and foodservice customers to develop exclusive products and drive joint innovation.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong understanding of cost structures, ingredient functionality, and margin optimization.

Education & Experience

• Degree from an accredited culinary school; additional education in Food Science, Business, or a related field is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in culinary leadership, product development, or corporate chef roles—preferably within the fresh deli, natural/organic, or prepared foods categories.
• Demonstrated success in taking culinary concepts from ideation through to commercial launch in a retail or foodservice environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced setting.
• Expertise in ingredient sourcing, food safety, and regulatory compliance within a fresh food manufacturing context.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

F&S Culture: As we continue to grow and provide leading edge products to our customers, we understand hiring the right people and treating them well is critical to our success. Everything we do starts with our values. These are the beliefs that we share and that strengthen our team. Our values shape our thoughts and actions every day. At F&S its Always FRESH and Always FUN! 

Find the most positive path.

Respond swiftly, accurately, and nimbly.

Earn trust by sharing, helping, and keeping promises.

Serve up safety.

Have each other's backs.

F&S Offers: We are proud to provide a comprehensive benefits program focused on your total well-being.

• Competitive compensation package
• A robust health and welfare benefits package that includes Life, Health, Dental, Vision
• The opportunity to plan for the future with a strong 401(K) including company match!
• Time to recharge with Paid Time Off annually Paid Holidays
• Career Advancement opportunities and Tuition Assistance to help you achieve your goals and continue your career growth.

 F&S is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Join us in shaping the future of F&S Fresh Foods!