Director Food Systems and Innovative Product Launch

Job Description

Director Food Systems and Innovative Product Launch leads the end-to-end commercialization of innovative food products that promote customer health and environmental sustainability. This role drives the launch and growth of products aligned with our commitment to best-in-class quality, sustainability, social responsibility, and customer well-being.

This leader oversees the entire commercialization process for prepared foods and bakery products under the WFM Kitchen label. They set strategic goals, align team efforts, and ensure successful product launches across categories through precise execution, based on thorough execution and launch auditing and testing. The role includes creating detailed RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) charts for each project and working collaboratively with WFM stakeholders such as Culinary Execution, EB, DTN, and RetailOps to ensure flawless execution.

Reporting to the VP of Culinary Supply Chain, Procurement, Development, Commercialization, and Manufacturing, this leader, supported by a small team, focuses on driving quality, innovation and successful market entry. The role emphasizes a systemic approach to change in the food industry, prioritizing rapid market introduction within the broader context of improving the food system. Regenerative products refer to practices that actively enhance and restore environmental and human health, aiming for a positive impact on both.

This role is based in Austin, TX, with an expectation of five days per week in the Store Support office.
Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive commercialization strategies for new food products, from concept to launch and beyond.
  • Identify and prioritize high-potential product opportunities based on market trends, consumer insights, financial and sustainability goals.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Exclusive Brands, Cul Supply chain, Manufacturing Excellence) to ensure seamless product development and launch.

• Product Development:
  • Oversee the development and refinement of product formulations and packaging to meet customer needs and sustainability standards.
  • Create systems and processes to stay agile and nimble to respond to trends as they arise.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers and partners to ensure quality, ethical sourcing, and sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
  • Stewardship of our product quality and standards and celebrating good-for-you ingredients with the presence of positives in addition to our emphasis on the absence of negatives through our banned ingredients list.

• Market Launch:
  • Lead the development and execution of go-to-market plans, including distribution in partnership with CUL Distribution Team
  • Partners with Culinary Category Merchants to monitor and analyze product performance, consumer feedback, and sales data to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
  • Drive continuous improvement in product quality, sustainability, and impact measurement.
  • Ensures operationally executable products that speak to our health pillars. And ensure simplicity by not introducing systems and processes that are challenging for team members to implement in store

• Leadership & Communication:
  • Build and lead a high-performance team of commercialization experts passionate about best-in-class, healthy, sustainable food products and systems.
  • Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, transparency, and collaboration.
  • Strong sense of program and product ownership
  • Advocate for sustainable and responsible business practices within the company and industry.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred
• 8-10 years of experience in product commercialization or a related field
• Minimum of 4 years in leadership and strategic planning.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to conceptualize, develop, and launch multi-million-dollar food and beverage products across various categories and dayparts.
• Extensive experience in managing end-to-end supply chain and operations
• Deep understanding of consumer trends, market dynamics, and sustainability challenges in the food industry
• Preferred experience in the retail, multiunit large scale restaurant industry
• Passion for healthy, sustainable food systems and making a positive impact on the planet
• Proven experience with techniques and tools for process improvement , with preferred certifications such as Six Sigma, Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), or other recognized qualifications.
• Familiarity with sustainability and regenerative agriculture practices , demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable business strategies.
• Viewed as subject matter expert and thought leader in food commercialization
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
• This role is based in Austin, TX, with an expectation of five days per week in the Store Support office.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.