Sr. Product Manager

Jones Dairy Farm

Fort Atkinson, WI

LOCATION

Job Description

As posted by the hiring company

Job Overview:

JOB SUMMARY:

Lead the end-to-end development and management of food products that meet evolving consumer preferences, market trends, and business goals. Act as the central hub between cross-functional teams including Process & Innovation, Operations, Marketing, and Sales to drive innovation, ensure product quality, and deliver successful product launches.

Responsible for translating customer insights and market intelligence into compelling product strategies and roadmaps that differentiate our brand and drive growth. Identify new market opportunities and initiate product concepts, manage go-to-market execution and post-launch performance, ensure each product achieves commercial success while adhering to operational, regulatory, and sustainability standards.

The ideal candidate combines a passion for food with a strategic mindset, business acumen, and a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is excited about shaping the future of food innovation within our organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

An essential job duty of this position is regularly reporting to work on time and being able to perform the essential duties of the position.

% Of Total Time

Conduct ongoing market, category, and competitor analysis to identify new product opportunities and white space. Gather and analyze consumer insights to inform product positioning and innovation strategies.
Lead the end-to-end product development process—from ideation and feasibility to commercialization.
Partner with Process & Innovation, Operations, QA, and Purchasing teams to develop formulations, packaging solutions, and manufacturing plans.
Ensure all new products meet company standards for quality, safety, cost, sustainability, and compliance (e.g., FDA, USDA, allergen labeling).
Act as the central point of contact across departments to ensure alignment and communication throughout the product lifecycle. Lead cross-functional meetings and stage-gate reviews to track progress, manage risks, and resolve bottlenecks.
Partner with Sales & Marketing to develop and execute launch strategies, including product naming, packaging, pricing, and promotional plans. Monitor initial sell-in and sell-through performance, adjusting plans as needed.
Responsible for all packaging design, changes, and modifications relating to new and existing products. Work with Regulatory Affairs to ensure packaging meets regulatory standards.
Manage product performance by tracking key metrics such as sales, margins, consumer feedback, and market share.
Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and in compliance with food safety and quality standards.
Accept special projects as assigned.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

COMPETENCIES:

Approachability	Puts others at ease by listening, allowing adequate time for interactions, and giving undivided attention. Show receptivity to message being delivered.
Collaboration	Seeks and enlists active participation of others to reach goals.
Customer Focus	Builds effective relationships, identifies customer expectations, sees issues from their point of view; offers practical recommendations.
Dependability	Meets deadlines, works independently, accountable, maintains focus, punctual, good attendance record.
Ethics & Integrity	Possesses a strong set of core values and beliefs consistent with social, ethical, and organizational principles. Confronts unethical situations.
Innovation	Generates new ideas and approaches to enhance the organization's systems, products, or effectiveness.
Personal Accountability	Accepts responsibility for own actions including failure. Embraces experience as learning opportunities and not chances to blames.
Results Orientated	Drives behavior to emphasize achievement. Self-directed toward accomplishment. Is action oriented. Likes challenge. Pursues Opportunities. Consistently high achieving.
Time Management/ Prioritization	Determines the interrelationships and relative importance of tasks and allocates time efficiently to the most important issues. Knows what not to spend time on; completes work in a timely fashion.
Trust & Respect	Offers respect to all in the work environment, adheres to high personal standards of acceptance, reliability, openness, and consistency of action with words.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Marketing, Business Administration or equivalent experience.

Experience or Training: 5-8 years of product management experience, within the food & beverage industry. Strong knowledge of consumer packaged goods (CPG) trends and food safety regulations. Demonstrated success leading multiple full product lifecycles—from concept to commercialization. Strong data-driven decision-making skills with the ability to analyze sales performance, category trends, and competitive dynamics. Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills

Technology/Equipment: Strong computer skills with proficiency working in MS office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). Proficiency with analytical tools and syndicated data platforms such as Nielsen, IRI, SPINS, or similar.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

An individual must meet the mental and physical requirements described here to successfully perform this position's essential functions.

Intermittent (less than 15%), Occasional (15-45%), Frequent (50-75%), and Continuous (over 75%)

Manual dexterity to operate all office equipment efficiently	Continuous
Visual dexterity to operate all office equipment efficiently	Continuous
Ability to distinguish color	Continuous
Walking	Frequent
Bending	Frequent
Stooping	Frequent
Reach above shoulders	Frequent
Standing	Frequent
Sitting	Frequent
Talking	Frequent
Hearing	Frequent
Finger manipulation	Frequent
Exposure to cold, hot, damp, and noisy environments	Intermittent
Lift and carry up to 50 lbs.	Intermittent

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Most of the work duties are conducted in an office and manufacturing environment. There may be exposure to production areas requiring the use of PPE, uniform or protective clothing, and safety equipment.

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

An individual in this position must successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities, and the physical and mental demands listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.