Director, Product Development – Edibles

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Lead the product development team for Edibles, overseeing the entire process from initial concept to commercialization.

• Formulate and implement the company’s new product strategy in alignment with business goals.

• Propel innovation and develop new products to satisfy market needs and secure a competitive edge.

• Convert product briefs into completed formulations by defining project scope, ingredient and flavor direction, feasibility, and financial aspects.

• Recruit, mentor, manage, coach, and cultivate food scientists and other professionals in product development.

• Encourage collaboration across various functions, including innovation, quality assurance, procurement, consumer insights, and implementation teams.

• Supervise the development of concepts, ingredient selection, bench formulations, prototyping, and final formulas.

• Establish and enhance sensory sampling and evaluation processes leveraging internal and consumer feedback.

• Vet, qualify, and approve ingredients and suppliers based on flavor, functionality, safety, cost, and supply reliability.

• Develop and uphold product specifications encompassing formulas, flavor profiles, sensory attributes, and parameters of the finished product.

• Collaborate with the Implementation team during the formulation handoff, providing hands-on assistance during initial scale-ups.

• Address formulation-related challenges during the manufacturing scale-up phase.

• Oversee the management of the offsite leased test kitchen, including equipment, processes, and procedures.

• Coordinate maintenance and repairs of the test kitchen with the landlord.

• Ensure adherence to food safety protocols, safe kitchen practices, equipment upkeep, and quality control measures.

• Stay updated on industry trends, consumer preferences, emerging technologies, and cannabis and CPG news.

• Perform market research and competitor analysis to uncover growth opportunities.

• Monitor product development timelines, budgets, and milestones by employing project management best practices.

• Develop and manage product development budgets while identifying cost-saving opportunities.

• Collaborate with QA and Compliance on matters related to food safety, labeling, and regulatory requirements.

• Address and resolve issues related to quality and compliance.

• Travel to GTI manufacturing facilities as necessary.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Culinary Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline.

• Over 10 years of leadership experience.

• Relevant experience in food science or product development within a CPG or food/beverage context, including hands-on formulation and sensory evaluation.

• Proven success in achieving significant and impactful business outcomes.

• Strong leadership, relationship management, and communication abilities.

• Capability to work effectively with global teams.

• Ability to serve as both a technical and strategic leader, as well as a hands-on implementer.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Familiarity with FDA and OSHA regulations.

• Understanding and compliance with relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative, and capable of working independently or as part of a team.

• Adaptability and resilience in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

• Strong critical thinking skills.

• Professionalism and integrity, particularly in handling confidential information.

• Must understand and comply with Green Thumb rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Must possess a solid understanding of cannabis laws, regulations, and rules.

• Active driver’s license or State ID card required.

• Minimum age of 21 years is required.

• Must successfully pass all required background checks.

• Compliance with legal or company regulations for industry work is mandatory.

• Approval by the regulatory agency, if required, and adherence to employee badging processes must be maintained.

• Willingness to work occasional extended hours.

• Ability to travel 10% to various manufacturing facilities within the GTI network.

• Capability to perform necessary physical activities, including prolonged standing/walking and lifting, carrying, and balancing up to 50 pounds (200 pounds with assistance).

• Must comply with GMP facility hygiene and personal effects policies.

🏝️ Benefits

• Discretionary annual incentive program based on organizational and individual performance.

• Flexible working hours for sensory sessions, bench trials, or product testing.