Now Hiring - Pasona NA - New Product / Business Development Specialist / Manager (Food Industry) in Novato, CA

Full description of the position

New Product Development Specialist / Manager Location: North Bay Area, CA Work Arrangement: Hybrid Employment Type: Full-Time Salary: $100,000 - $130,000 DOE + Bonus

Position Summary

A growing food company is seeking a New Product Development Specialist / Manager to drive market-focused product innovation and business growth. This position works closely with customers, sales teams, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to identify market trends, generate new product ideas, and support commercialization initiatives. This role is ideal for professionals with a combination of sales, product development, product marketing, or category management experience who enjoy working directly with customers and bringing new product concepts to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify new product opportunities through customer interactions, market research, and industry trend analysis
• Partner with sales teams on customer visits to understand market needs and gather feedback
• Develop and present new product concepts and business opportunities
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to support product development and commercialization
• Conduct product costing, pricing analysis, and margin evaluations
• Support product launches, customer presentations, and commercialization activities
• Monitor product performance and recommend improvements based on market feedback
• Participate in domestic and international trade shows, supplier visits, and customer meetings
• Manage multiple product development and business development projects simultaneously

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in sales, product development, product marketing, category management, or related fields
• Experience working directly with customers and translating market needs into business opportunities
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, Product Development, or a related field
• Business-level English communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food, beverage, CPG, or foodservice industry
• Experience supporting new product launches or commercialization initiatives
• Experience collaborating with customers on product development projects
• Knowledge of Asian food products, food culture, or international food markets
• Japanese language skills are a plus, but not required

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Company Contribution
• Paid Company Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Sick Leave
• Target Bonus: Approximately 1015% of Base Salary Travel

Requirements

• International travel to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.) approximately 34 times per year
• International trade show participation in Europe approximately once per year
• Domestic travel approximately 12 times per month Core Working Hours
• Flexible work schedule with core business hours from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.