New Product Marketing Manager

About the position

The New Product Marketing Manager is responsible for leading the creation and enhancement of packaging solutions for our product lines. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure packaging meets specifications, enhances brand visibility, and complies with regulatory standards. Key responsibilities include managing customer-specific requests and researching and ideating around packaging & consumer behavior trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead the exploration, initiation, design, and development of new packaging formats for retail sell unit and private label packaging, ensuring alignment with brand identity and customer specifications.
• Drive packaging innovation by exploring new materials, formats, and designs to enhance retail presence and consumer engagement.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from concept initiation to launch, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business objectives.
• Collaborate with marketing, product development, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to gather insights and refine packaging solutions.
• Collaborate closely with customer-specific teams to manage packaging development and changes, including ensuring timely and accurate submission of information to customer dashboards and websites.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify and assess opportunities for new packaging solutions.
• Incorporate customer feedback and insights into the packaging development process to enhance product offerings and meet consumer needs.
• Manage seasonal packaging programs, AFM, CAC, others, to ensure customer engagement and timely ordering and delivery.
• Lead and manage the stage gate process for new packaging development, ensuring each phase is completed on time and meets quality and performance standards.
• Work with QA to ensure all new packaging labeling complies with relevant food safety and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate pack testing trials for new packaging formats with suppliers, collaborating with Purchasing and Operations & QA for final selection of packaging material & format.
• Conduct detailed financial analysis to evaluate the feasibility and profitability of new packaging ideas, including cost-benefit analysis and return on investment (ROI) calculations.
• Track and analyze the performance of new packaging/product post-launch to inform future development strategies.
• Provide packaging knowledge as needed by various departments for new retail pack styles that are not currently in use.
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail to ensure project quality and compliance at all stages of development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Innovation Management, Marketing.
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in new product development & packaging within the fresh produce industry, preferably with avocados and mangos.
• Analytical skills to evaluate marketing performance metrics and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Focus on understanding and addressing shopper needs to build loyalty and drive engagement.
• Familiarity with the fast paced operational and marketing dynamics of North American retail and grocery chains.
• Awareness of food labeling standards and marketing compliance requirements in North America.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills to coordinate effectively with suppliers, retailers, and cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility to adjust plans in response to changing market conditions or consumer trends.
• Spanish speaking a plus.