Global Product Development Lead Bars/High Protein Functional Snacks

About Vitamin Well Group

At Vitamin Well Group, we provide healthier and better-tasting drinks, snacks, and protein products. Our core brands are Vitamin Well, NOCCO and Barebells, which are present in all Nordic countries, most of Europe, North America, the MENA region, and parts of East Asia. In 2022 we had a revenue of more than 4 billion SEK (~375M EUR) and we have a strong double-digit annual volume growth rate. We provide products in over 40 markets, with an HQ in Stockholm and offices in ten countries around Europe, USA, and Asia Pacific.

The Role

Ever tasted a Barebells Bar? This is your chance to make a significant impact by shaping the future of our most loved and innovative product lines, a key part of the rapidly growing functional foods category. You will have the unique opportunity to redefine this entire category on a global scale!

Imagine entering into your new role and embarking on an exciting journey where your expertise and creativity will drive the development of protein-based products that millions of people around the world will enjoy. You will lead the way in crafting and refining recipes that not only taste amazing but also provide optimal nutrition and functionality.

With the remarkable growth of Barebells bars, we have set our sights on achieving double-digit annual volume increases and expanding our global presence. We are looking for a senior-level product development professional with extensive experience in the confectionary, protein products or bars sector to join us in creating the best-tasting products in this dynamic market.

Your Mission

From day one, you will not only be our expert in the product development of protein bars but also the driving force behind exploring our functional foods product line to new innovative areas. You will take on a global responsibility, crafting a comprehensive product road map and connecting this to our sourcing and production network.

You will lead and be involved in all aspects of launching new protein food products globally, ensuring they meet high standards and resonate with consumers. Your role will be crucial in bringing these products to market and distinguishing them in the competitive landscape.

You will be the driving force behind significant growth in the category. Your effective collaboration with cross-functional teams will ensure smooth production transitions and scaling, with your leadership being key to this success.

Through this journey, you will not only enhance your skills and expertise but also leave a lasting legacy in the world of functional food and drinks. Your contributions will be celebrated as we achieve significant milestones, driving global expansion and solidifying our position as a leader in the industry.

This role can de done remotely from most EU countries with frequent travel.

Key responsibilities include 

WORLD-CLASS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

• Lead Global Product Development for Functional Food Products: Oversee the entire product lifecycle from NPD to final products, ensuring world-class standards.
• Recipe Mastery: Develop and refine recipes with a focus on optimal flavor, high-quality ingredients, and superior nutrition.
• Prototype Creation: Spearhead the creation and testing of prototypes, making necessary adjustments to formulations.
• Sensory Evaluation: Conduct comprehensive taste tests to ensure exceptional sensory attributes.
• Detailed Documentation: Maintain meticulous records of recipe development and ingredient specifications.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION

• Collaborative Approach: Drive seamless collaboration with packaging, production, and sourcing teams to ensure cohesive product development.
• Scale-Up Coordination: Partner with sourcing teams to scale up production and address technical challenges during full-scale manufacturing transitions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND DRIVE

• Global Expansion Facilitation: Lead initiatives that support and fuel the global expansion and growth of Vitamin Well.
• Project Oversight: Oversee projects from inception to completion, ensuring strict adherence to timelines and achievement of KPIs.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: Address issues promptly to maintain project momentum and drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

You are a senior-level product development manager or seasoned/senior NPD Project Manager with a minimum of seven years of experience in end-to-end product development. Recognized as an expert in the confectionary, bars or protein product space, you are eager to leverage your extensive knowledge and skills in a new and dynamic context.

Essential Skills To Succeed Are

• Product Development Expertise: Extensive experience (minimum seven years) in developing protein bars - from concept to market.
• Innovative Recipe Development: Proven ability to create and refine recipes, optimising for flavour, ingredients, and nutrition.
• Project Leadership: Strong track record of managing product development projects successfully and meeting KPIs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional skills in collaborating with packaging, production, and sourcing teams specific to functional foods and beverages.
• Scale-Up Coordination: Experience in, from a product development perspective, scaling up production, and resolving technical challenges.
• Strategic Thinking: Capable of driving global expansion and growth initiatives in the functional food and beverage industry.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent at managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the functional food and beverage space.

Benefits

Life At Vitamin Well Group

Our growing family is made up of over 470 employees, representing a variety of cultures, experiences and diverse backgrounds. This diversity is a great asset as we continue our expansion and evolve our portfolio. At the same time, Vitamin Well is still very much a Swedish company, promoting Swedish values when it comes to both business and people. We treat each other in a fair and equal way, and we respect one another based on our qualities. As we expand Vitamin Well Group’s business, we are also committed to minimizing our environmental impact and continuously strive to lower emissions from for example production, logistics, and packaging.

Working at Vitamin Well, we provide a dynamic environment defined by ambition, dedication, and an entrepreneurial spirit. In our action-oriented culture, the ability to make swift decisions is paramount in bringing ideas to fruition. We are committed to fostering an atmosphere where every individual's unique strengths contribute to our collective success. As a health and exercise-oriented company, we inspire an active lifestyle by partnering with top-performing athletes, but we also promote and support exercise among our employees.