New Product Specialist

New Product Specialist

Description

• Are you looking to catapult your career by driving high-impact transformation with household brands? Do you crave an entrepreneurial, fast paced, and engaging growth assignment working with incredible people from across the globe?

• At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, we are excited to start a new chapter of accelerated growth as part of Froneri – a global pure-play ice cream leader. Come help us transform DGIC into the #1 ice cream brand! With nearly 100 years of winning experience in the U.S, a robust portfolio of powerhouse brands that consumers know and love such as Häagen-Dazs, Drumstick, Dreyer’s & Edy’s, Skinny Cow and Outshine, and the backing and coaching of European-based ice cream experts, we know we have the winning recipe.

• Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the Bay Area’s hub for up-and-coming food trends, our teams across our offices and factories are raising the bar on all things ice cream. We are investing in significant capital expansions to grow our Operations and Supply Chain and are transforming how we work at every level to become agile, accelerate growth and elevate our quality. With a renewed focus on frozen treats, our tight-knit team of ambitious innovators are fully immersed in the business and encouraged to flex and make decisions quickly. We are committed to pursuing every great idea and delivering the best ice cream experience for our consumers, when and where they want it.

• Unleash your potential at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and discover what a sweet career we have in store for you.

Main Purpose of Job:

• The New Product Specialist ensures the projects are executed on time and meet approved capital budget, operating budget, and cost savings targets. This individual is responsible for the overall successful development, implementation and commercialization of new products and improvement projects within the factory, as the SME of site technical processes and products oversees the capability building of employee knowledge and skills.

• Role and Activity

• Coordinate and manage existing products/ processes renovation projects.

• Is the guardian of technical product and process standards, providing site technical support.

• Maintain and continually update stakeholders on the status of projects, risk factors, risk mitigation activities, decision points, successes, and learning’s. Facilitate plant trial and start-up process for assigned projects.

• Attention to detail and follow through. Provide work direction and general project management including scheduling, assignment of work, and review of projects to ensure that the project is meeting technical and process specifications as outlined.

• Continually builds employees’ technical capability through creation and delivery of training, materials, coaching, and progressive skill building experiences.

• As technical expert in all product and processes will be involved at the beginning of all improvement projects/activities and across all functional streams.

• Recommend and evaluate new concepts in processing and product formulation that will improve product quality and reduce production and formulation costs through the use of approved systems, tools and methodologies.

• As technical expert in all product and processes will be involved at the beginning of all new product development projects/activities as part of the NPDI process.

• Organize and supervise renovated/new products and processes factory testing.

• Work closely with all functional groups to focus resources on results (Quality, Safety, Cost, TAG and R&D) associated with assigned projects and “own” the results associated with the project for the 1st year.

• Work with the site team to determine capacity and capital requirements for new product initiatives. Develop and manage capital associated with assigned projects.

• Act as a plant advocate in the execution of New Product or Process Projects and develop internal resources to strengthen the process.

• Specific project focus with successful and timely project start up and on-going results that meet defined success criteria.

• Lead cross-functional teams to establish and achieve project success. Develop and track project implementation plan. Measure progress against timeline and plan and escalate as necessary.

• SELL MORE

• Meet daily production targets by operating efficiently

• Follow production plans and instructions to support overall business goals

• Help reduce downtime by reporting issues quickly and keeping the line running smoothly

• Use materials responsibly to support cost, waste, and output goals

• BUY BETTER AND TAKE COST OUT

• Maintain an organized and efficient workstation to support smooth operations

• Use raw materials, packaging, and supplies correctly to avoid waste

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency

• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent, efficient results

• END TO END QUALITY

• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) quality checks, testing, and documentation requirements

• Stop and escalate if product quality is not correct

• Ensure products meet safety, quality, and environmental standards at every stage

• Follow food safety and hygiene rules, including proper sanitation and allergen controls

• Participate in audits, inspections, and quality improvement efforts

• THRIVING PEOPLE

• Follow all safety rules and help maintain a safe work environment for yourself and your team

• Support team members, communicate clearly, and work together to hit daily goals

• Participate in required training and development to build skills and grow in the role

• Take responsibility for attendance, punctuality, and teamwork expectations

• Report hazards, near misses, or unsafe behaviors to help strengthen the safety culture

• DO GOOD BUSINESS

• Follow all company policies, including safety, quality, and GMP requirements

• Comply with regulatory, environmental, and food safety standards each shift

• Operate equipment responsibly to avoid damage or unnecessary maintenance

• Support sustainability efforts by minimizing waste, recycling where required, and using resources efficiently

• Participate responsibly in company programs and initiatives

• BEHAVIORS AND CORE VALUES: Must consistently showcase the desired behaviors that represent our Core Values.

• WE TAKE OWNERSHIP

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish

• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail

• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

• WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations

• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment

• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

• WE SEEK TO IMPROVE

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations

• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve

• Learn from both successes and failures

• WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business

• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives

• Treat everyone with fairness and respect

Work Environment:

• In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.

• Cold Temperatures: Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.

• Requires use of cold-protective PPE.

• May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.

• Fast-Paced: Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.

• High-speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.

• Standing for Long Hours: Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.

• Repetitive hand and arm movements required.

• Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.

• Food Safety Regulations: Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).

• Team-Oriented: Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

• The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

• The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but no