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Job Description
Job Summary
The Product Development Manager will lead the end-to-end development of new products and brand extensions—from concept through commercialization. They will identify market opportunities for both private label and co-branded opportunities, define requirements, manage development timelines, and deliver products that meet the unique needs of customers in the prison commissary market and Vistar's other channels. This role works cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance.
Key Responsibilities
The Product Development Manager will lead the end-to-end development of new products and brand extensions—from concept through commercialization. They will identify market opportunities for both private label and co-branded opportunities, define requirements, manage development timelines, and deliver products that meet the unique needs of customers in the prison commissary market and Vistar's other channels. This role works cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute a multi-year private-label expansion strategy across food, beverage, hygiene, apparel, and general merchandise categories
- Lead the full product development lifecycle, including ideation, market assessment, business case development, design, testing, success metrics, launch, and post-launch optimization
- Collaborate with Sales to identify customer needs, market trends, and competitive gaps
- Ensure private-label products support organizational goals around affordability, margin improvement, supply continuity, and differentiation
- Conduct customer research, product testing, and validation to inform product decisions, both for new products and product extensions.
- Support Sales and Account Management in RFPs, renewals, and customer presentations.
- Ensure all products comply with federal, state, and local correctional regulations, contractual requirements, and facility-specific policies
- Proactively assess and mitigate security risks related to packaging, ingredients, product use, and supply chain integrity
- Maintain awareness of evolving requirements related to the Corrections Channel and Vistar's other market channels.