Product Research & Development Analyst

Responsible for supporting, developing, and executing product research and development and sensory initiatives in support of WFM’s retail objectives. Conducts product-related customer research, performs data analysis, and works with Exclusive Brands leadership to develop and position new products. Leads or performs product development, including development of category insights, formulation development with supplier partners, cooking, preparation, presentation of samples / cuttings, and first production management. Benchmarks products against the competition, ensures approved formulations meet key product objectives as defined by EB Leadership, and ensures products adhere to WFM’s and EB’s ingredient and quality standards.

General Summary of Position

Supports ideation, development, and commercialization of Exclusive Brand products for Exclusive Brands categories. Support technical requirements and project workflow. Supports the evaluation of product samples and related specifications for new and existing products. Collaborate with Senior and Principal Product Developers to develop and maintain products that meet Whole Foods Market and regulatory standards.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Support organoleptic evaluation for potential products, including comparisons between multiple potential vendors’ sample submission.
• Assist with technical information management.
• Assist with reporting specification related information to Product Development leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Collect supporting technical information such as raw material and ingredient specifications, certifications, and SDS.
• Communicate with suppliers to ensure the specifications are accurate, complete, and compliant with regulatory guidelines and WFM (Whole Foods Market) Quality Standards.
• Follow up with supplier on outstanding specification requests, as necessary.
• Suggest sensory techniques to best evaluate sample submissions and reduce bias in evaluation.
• Evaluate product preparation instructions for Exclusive Brands products (if applicable).
• Support varying product categories and project teams, sometimes concurrently and as the business necessitates.
• Communicate sensory, nutritional, and quality parameters to Senior Developers.
• Contribute to scoping phase of ideation within product categories by identifying trending ingredients and products at the request of Senior Product Developers—including, but not limited to market research partners, trend-mapping, category insights recommendations, and competitor shopping.
• Communicate specification evaluations to Senior Product Developers in a timely manner.
• Assure accuracy and integrity of product and ingredient specifications by adhering to WFM core values, quality, and brand standards.
• Perform other miscellaneous product development duties, as necessary.
• Perform data entry and workflow of technical information utilizing web-based project management applications.
• Partner with Senior Developers to create category insights decks by researching current consumer product goods via market research partner database.
• Support effective launch of items through first production evaluation of samples against approved retains of final formulations.
• Identifying and conducting comparisons against target products (if applicable) and sensory benchmarks through exploratory comp shops and cuttings.

Requirements And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field.
• Must have knowledge of benchtop formulation and product development as it relates to CPG products.
• Must have computer proficiency and familiarity with most Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and possess the ability to excel in cross-functional team settings.
• Must possess the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and deliver against rapid development timelines.
• Must be detail oriented and extremely organized.
• 2-3 years’ experience working in the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) or ingredient industries.

Preferences

• Familiarity of retailer web-based specification systems would be ideal
• Knowledge of NFL regulations as they relate to product development is helpful.
• A passion for food, beverage and the culinary world is a major plus.
• Sensory evaluation experience and skills are a plus.
• General understanding of product development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
• Cursory understanding of product development and related business processes.
• Experience developing natural and organic products is a plus.

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.

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