Product Manager Food Packaging

Company description

Are you ready to join an international company that is focused on creating sustainable products for foodservice and airline industries?

Probably at some point in your life you traveled on the plane & ordered some food or went to your nearby takeout place to buy a salad for lunch. In this case, you might have seen deSter products and didn’t even know it. A lot of people don’t realize that packaging world can be exciting, but it is more than that, especially when it comes to food. deSter is unique in its industry because we design and manufacture packaging as well as some additional complimentary products such as amenity kits, airplane trolleys & condiment packs. Our purpose is to create sustainable food and travel experiences and we need you on this journey.

If you want to be a part of a company that strives to create a better future and change how we look at food packaging, you are in the right place.

Summary

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 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 profitability

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.

What we offer

Joining deSter means you will become a part of an innovative company with sustainability at heart and colleagues & customers globally. Besides competitive salary and benefits, we also offer hybrid way of working (office/remote) and a team of colleagues that have a passion & enthusiasm for what they do.