The Spice & Tea Exchange® · 3 months ago
Product Development Director
St. Augustine, FL 32086
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
7+ years expThe Spice & Tea Exchange® is looking for a Product Development Director who will lead the product vision and lifecycle for a variety of food products. This role involves overseeing product strategy, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful product launches and brand integrity.
E-CommerceFood and BeverageInternetTea
Responsibilities
Develop and execute product roadmaps across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories
Identify market trends, consumer insights, and franchise needs to drive new product concepts
Lead ideation and cross-functional collaboration to bring new SKUs and seasonal programs to market
Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify new trends, consumer preferences, and gaps in the market
Leverage customer and franchisee feedback to inform the product roadmap and drive data-driven decisions
Partner with franchise owners to pilot new products, collect field insights, and integrate real-time operational feedback to improve product performance and guest experience across diverse markets
Analyze product performance data post-launch to inform future development cycles and measure success against KPIs
Manage and mentor a team of Product Category Managers, Coordinators and/or Specialists
Ensure each category has clear strategy, timelines, and performance goals
Oversee product lifecycle, from concept to launch to retirement
Own category dashboards and lifecycle analytics, leveraging POS, e-commerce, and supply chain data to optimize SKU mix, forecast demand, and identify discontinuation or re-formulation opportunities
Partner closely with: Senior Director of Corporate Development to ensure product procurement is aligned with the brand vision and sustained growth plan
Supply Chain for sourcing, costing, and supplier relationships
Champion sustainable sourcing, packaging innovation, and supplier transparency initiatives that align with The Spice & Tea Exchange’s brand promise and environmental responsibility goals
Marketing to align branding, packaging, positioning, naming, and launch campaigns
Franchise Operations for owner input and sell-in support
QA & Regulatory to ensure ingredient accuracy, certifications, and compliance
Oversee timelines, costing, and margin targets for every product initiative
Drive SKU launches for retail, wholesale, ecommerce, and seasonal programs
Align product pipeline with production, distribution, and operational capacity
Ensure products meet brand expectations for flavor, consistency, packaging, and guest experience
Collaborate with QA on labeling, certifications (organic, kosher, etc.), and ingredient integrity
Set goals, track KPIs, and report progress to the Senior Director of Corporate Development
Oversee project timelines, P&Ls, and profitability targets by category
Qualification
Required
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Food Science, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline
7+ years of product development, category management, or CPG experience (preferably in food, beverage, or specialty consumables) with a minimum of 4 years in a managerial role
Proven leadership, managing product teams, or category leads
Strong understanding of consumer trends, sourcing, product lifecycle, and commercialization
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, supply chain, and operations
Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance creativity and execution
Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail
Adaptable and resourceful in a fast-paced, evolving retail and franchise environment
Preferred
Background in gourmet foods, teas, spices, or specialty retail
Experience working with franchise networks or multi-channel product distribution
Knowledge of regulatory standards and certifications for consumables
A passion for high-quality food, tea, and flavor
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision and other ancillary benefits.
401k plan + company match.
Flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and/or dependent care.
100% Company paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance.
Paid time off (PTO) during first year, following 90 days of employment.
7 Paid Holidays.
Employee product discounts.
Quarterly “Create & Share”, free product gifts.
Annual “Holiday Bucks” with access to select personalized gifts for yourself or loved ones over the Holidays.
Company
The Spice & Tea Exchange®
The Spice & Tea Exchange® Mission: “Creating & sharing the experience of a more flavorful life.” The Spice & Tea Exchange® was founded in 2008 by a group of talented individuals with a passion for life and food.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Amy Freeman, CFE
CEO
Erin Santella
Executive Assistant to CEO
Recent News
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