Associate Product Development Manager - R&D

Working with the Product Development Director, the Associate Manager is responsible for brand-building new product design targeted at delighting Dairy Queen Fans.   

The Associate Product Development Manager collaborates across functions and applies strong technical, analytical, and operational judgment to recommend practical, creative solutions. This role drives initiatives to completion, influences cross-functional project teams, and serves as a subject matter expert for assigned product development projects. The manager prioritizes and executes multiple concurrent tasks and projects, communicates with an engaging and credible interpersonal style, and understands key business drivers and metrics. The role also conducts product evaluations, troubleshooting, and cost-of-goods reduction testing to maintain cost efficiency, quality, and marketplace competitiveness.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Develop new products for Dairy Queen.  Projects will be both creative and technical in nature and must be well-managed and completed in a timely, cost-effective manner.   Must take initiative in applying technical knowledge and skill to recommend solutions for all product and procedural challenges.

• Collaborate with suppliers in the development of new ingredients and products.  Along with the Director - Product Development, troubleshoot production challenges with vendors and recommend possible solutions.  Approve the completion of ingredient and final product specifications. Alert management to issues relating to the approval of these specifications. Utilize project management skills to effectively manage projects.  

• Perform objective evaluation procedures including analytical and sensory measurements.  Recognize product and procedural problems and take initiative to recommend solutions to problems by applying technical knowledge and skill. 

• Facilitate internal and external ideation and product exploration sessions.  Transition new ideas into testable concepts for the brand. 

• Develop and build relationships with suppliers and other industry experts.  Identify restaurant industry resources and build ability enlist technical and analytical support outside of the immediate team.  

• Actively collaborate with other developers to provide evaluation, assistance, troubleshooting where needed.  

• Dig deep to analyze consumer and operator comments and market research on new products.  Keep informed of new trends and developments in the food industry.  

The US national base salary range for this position is $88,536-$108,457. This position is also eligible for a bonus. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for positions across all US locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location and relevant education or experience.