Director of Product Development

Director of Product Development | Confidential SearchWe’re partnering with a leading global consumer company to hire a Director of Product Development. This is a strategic, high-impact role responsible for driving innovation and bringing new products to market across a major North American portfolio.This individual will lead cross-functional teams, shape long-term innovation strategy, and guide products from concept through commercialization. The ideal candidate blends strong technical understanding with business acumen and has a track record of influencing senior leaders, developing talent, and delivering breakthrough consumer-driven innovation.Key Responsibilities:Lead the end-to-end product development process, from concept creation to launch.Partner with Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to build and advance the innovation pipeline.Drive the execution of business-aligned R&D strategies and commercialization plans.Foster collaboration across internal and external partners to accelerate innovation.Manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientists and product developers.Represent the function in executive discussions and provide strategic direction on innovation priorities.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).12+ years of experience in product development or R&D within the food industry.Proven leadership of cross-functional teams and direct reports.Demonstrated success in developing and commercializing new products.Strong communication, influencing, and strategic thinking skills.For more information, contact Dustin Robert at dr@leansixsearch.com