Pottery Barn
Assistant Project Manager, Food Development - Williams Sonoma
Pottery Barn, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
About the Role
The Assistant Project Manager, Food Development is responsible for project managing the development of new or expanded assortments or categories for the Food department. These responsibilities include product/concept ideation and development of sales-generating food products, meeting key project milestones, and driving coordination of activities between external WS resources and internal departments to meet project performance and delivery requirements. The position will build supplier/vendor as well as cross-functional relationships to improve the development process and assist with anticipating/identifying/solving issues that may lead to late delivery of products.
Responsibilities
Product Development: Identify and recommend new food products, concepts and business opportunities.
Product Development: Manage the timing and delivery of projects to launch deadlines. Liaise with external manufacturers/vendors and internal WS departments in carrying a project from concept to execution. Determine best vendors based on capabilities.
Product Development: Coordinate tastings with Test Kitchen, lead tastings, collect team feedback, and provide objective feedback to vendors. Partner with Inventory Management to provide buy plans for products to vendors. Negotiate costing – identify issues influencing cost challenges impacting project budgets and present solutions to vendors and merchant teams. Collaborate with Brand Packaging to finalize product vessel and design within budget. Review packaging artwork proofs for assigned projects for accuracy.
Culinary Expertise
Create enticing flavor profiles, flavor pairings and new product ideas that will entice the WS customer.
Suggest recipe adjustments as needed to vendor samples.
Assist with troubleshooting recipes/samples not performing to optimal results.
Support/maintain WS relationship with current supply/vendor base.
Identify new vendor partners and onboard them.
Vendor Management / Sourcing
Support/maintain WS relationship with current supply/vendor base.
Identify new vendor partners and onboard them.
Trend Analysis / Competitive Research
In development, research market for like product and manage comparison tastings.
Identify/analyze trends in the food market space and provide observations to Buyers as needed. Conduct competitive shop and stay current on trends to identify potential opportunities for WS food assortment.
Identify emerging trends and develop business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as needed.
Sample Management for Meetings
Create mocked-up products for concept presentations.
Manage Product Issues
As needed, contact vendors to gather information on product issues. Partner with Food Safety Compliance Manager and Merchant partners to determine the best course of action.
Requirements
2+ years of culinary experience in food development, food science, test kitchen, or food merchandising. Previous business experience is a plus.
Bachelor's Degree.
Demonstrates forward thinking, sense of urgency, follow-through, and problem solving skills.
Ability to prioritize shifting urgent responsibilities.
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects.
This role requires being onsite in the San Francisco office Monday through Thursday.
Our Culture & Values We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.
People First Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
Benefits
A generous discount on all WSI brands
A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
Tax-free commuter benefits
A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
Continued Learning
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
Resources for self-development
Advisor (Mentor) program
Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or sponsor an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $30 - 32.69 / hr. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
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The Assistant Project Manager, Food Development is responsible for project managing the development of new or expanded assortments or categories for the Food department. These responsibilities include product/concept ideation and development of sales-generating food products, meeting key project milestones, and driving coordination of activities between external WS resources and internal departments to meet project performance and delivery requirements. The position will build supplier/vendor as well as cross-functional relationships to improve the development process and assist with anticipating/identifying/solving issues that may lead to late delivery of products.
Responsibilities
Product Development: Identify and recommend new food products, concepts and business opportunities.
Product Development: Manage the timing and delivery of projects to launch deadlines. Liaise with external manufacturers/vendors and internal WS departments in carrying a project from concept to execution. Determine best vendors based on capabilities.
Product Development: Coordinate tastings with Test Kitchen, lead tastings, collect team feedback, and provide objective feedback to vendors. Partner with Inventory Management to provide buy plans for products to vendors. Negotiate costing – identify issues influencing cost challenges impacting project budgets and present solutions to vendors and merchant teams. Collaborate with Brand Packaging to finalize product vessel and design within budget. Review packaging artwork proofs for assigned projects for accuracy.
Culinary Expertise
Create enticing flavor profiles, flavor pairings and new product ideas that will entice the WS customer.
Suggest recipe adjustments as needed to vendor samples.
Assist with troubleshooting recipes/samples not performing to optimal results.
Support/maintain WS relationship with current supply/vendor base.
Identify new vendor partners and onboard them.
Vendor Management / Sourcing
Support/maintain WS relationship with current supply/vendor base.
Identify new vendor partners and onboard them.
Trend Analysis / Competitive Research
In development, research market for like product and manage comparison tastings.
Identify/analyze trends in the food market space and provide observations to Buyers as needed. Conduct competitive shop and stay current on trends to identify potential opportunities for WS food assortment.
Identify emerging trends and develop business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as needed.
Sample Management for Meetings
Create mocked-up products for concept presentations.
Manage Product Issues
As needed, contact vendors to gather information on product issues. Partner with Food Safety Compliance Manager and Merchant partners to determine the best course of action.
Requirements
2+ years of culinary experience in food development, food science, test kitchen, or food merchandising. Previous business experience is a plus.
Bachelor's Degree.
Demonstrates forward thinking, sense of urgency, follow-through, and problem solving skills.
Ability to prioritize shifting urgent responsibilities.
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects.
This role requires being onsite in the San Francisco office Monday through Thursday.
Our Culture & Values We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.
People First Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
Benefits
A generous discount on all WSI brands
A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
Tax-free commuter benefits
A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
Continued Learning
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
Resources for self-development
Advisor (Mentor) program
Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or sponsor an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $30 - 32.69 / hr. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
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