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WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Research & Development
LOCATION: Burlington, VT
REPORTS TO: Vice President - R&D
DATE/REVISION DATE: June 2008

OVERVIEW
The Director of Product Development provides technical leadership for the development of all household cleaning product propositions that consistently meet or exceed consumer’s expectations while supporting business sustainability and meeting Seventh Generation authenticity and ingredient guidelines.

This position requires unwavering commitment to embrace the company’s culture by promoting a developmental organization through the alignment of personal behaviors with the company’s managing principles and core values in the on-going pursuit of the company’s global imperatives.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

• Manage new product development and current product improvement projects to ensure products are delivered on-time and within budget while meeting all consumer and technical objectives.
• Establish and implement consistent product design and qualification criteria in a way that ensures enhanced speed to market, improved manufacturing consistency and maximum consumer acceptance.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop the most appropriate product claims and ensure the claims are adequately supported.
• Develop product specifications for new products and create documentation to support all product qualification requirements.
• Serve as a cross functional technical resource to marketing, sales, sourcing, consumer relations, public relations, manufacturing and others within the Seventh Generation community.
• Collaborate with existing and new R&D/Manufacturing partners to identify product improvement, authenticity and cost saving opportunities and implement as appropriate.
• Make product development recommendations to the multi-functional project management team.
• Manage outside resources to maximize effectiveness and return on investment.
• Stay abreast of technical developments in the household cleaning category by reviewing technical publications, articles and abstracts as well as attending relevant conferences.
• Contribute to the social responsibility evaluation of the entire supply chain.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential raw material suppliers.
• Commit to personal development and professional growth by actively participating in personal development initiatives and applying developmental thinking within the context of planning and executing work.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES

• Provide technical assistance and training to the Consumer Relations team as needed.
• Contribute to sales team efforts to present technical aspects of the category and new products.
• Provide product related education to the organization as required (new hires, sales team)
• Partner with the New Business Development Team to provide technical guidance related to potential opportunity areas.
• Research and track market and competitive trends to remain abreast of category developments.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years progressive experience in research & development or technical product management preferably in a consumer products goods company.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to manage professional internally and at vendor locations.
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills and proven ability to work in a fast paced work environment.
• Computer proficient with Microsoft software and database management.
• Knowledge of household cleaning products.
• Strong alignment with Seventh Generation’s Vision, Mission, Values and Operating Principles
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% of the time throughout the US and Canada
• Passion for working in a values based company in alignment with a learning organization

WORKING CONDITIONS
Office environment – no special conditions
Meeting-intensive culture with a high volume of inclusion and activity
Learning organization – The expectation to growth and develop is essential
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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This job description should not be interpreted to be a complete list of all the duties, qualifications and responsibilities performed by the jobholder. To maintain organizational flexibility, management has the discretion to add, drop or change at any time the duties, responsibilities and expectations of this job. This job description does not constitute an offer of employment, continuous employment or an employment contract.

Qualified applicants should send a current resume and cover letter to staffing@seventhgeneration.com.

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