Director of Product Development

Job Title: Director of Product Development

Department: Product Marketing, Strategy & Innovation

Position Reports to: Senior Director of Corporate Development

Employment: W2, Full-Time, Salary, Exempt

Location: Hybrid. St. Augustine, FL Distribution Center will be relocating to Palm Coast, FL. Non-local residents must be willing to travel to be considered.

Are you the best at what you do and want to love where you work? Are you a true flavor enthusiast with a zest for adventure? Want to work with a TEA-m full of sugary sweet, never salty (unless we sell it) band of characters who take their work seriously but never themselves? If this sounds like you and you too love corny puns, you may be the key ingredient we're missing. See what we did there? Apply now, and let your culinary imagination run wild with us

The Spice & Tea Exchange® is looking for energetic people who have a passion for life and food. Our mission is creating and sharing the experience of a more flavorful life, and our employees strive to make that happen every day for our customers, our franchisees and each other. The employee experience at The Spice & Tea Exchange is unique and rewarding, and if you have this same passion for flavor, we have a seat for you at our table.

Position Purpose:

At The Spice & Tea Exchange®, it is our mission to "Create and share the experience of a more flavorful life". The Director of Product Development will serve as the driving force behind The Spice & Tea Exchange's product vision, leading the full lifecycle of our portfolio across all core categories including, but not limited to, spices, salts, sugars, teas, blends, candles, honeys/syrups and accessories. This role champions innovation from concept to shelf, overseeing product strategy, sourcing, quality, cost and commercialization with a relentless focus on brand integrity and market relevance.

As a cross-functional leader, the Director will guide a talented team of Product Category Managers, Project Coordinators, and Analysts while collaborating closely with Corporate Development, Supply Chain, Marketing, Operations, and Franchise stakeholders. Together, this team will bring new ideas to life that delight guests, strengthen our franchise network, and drive sustainable category growth and overall shelf management.

This role plays a pivotal part in shaping the future of The Spice & Tea Exchange brand, ensuring every product we create is inspired, distinctive, and operationally executable from development through delivery.

Essential job functions include but are not limited to:Product Strategy & Innovation

• 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.

Market Research and Analysis

• 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.

Category Leadership

• 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.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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.

Commercialization & Execution

• 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.

Quality & Brand Standards

• Ensure products meet brand expectations for flavor, consistency, packaging, and guest experience.
• Collaborate with QA on labeling, certifications (organic, kosher, etc.), and ingredient integrity.

Project & Performance Management

• Set goals, track KPIs, and report progress to the Senior Director of Corporate Development.
• Oversee project timelines, P&Ls, and profitability targets by category.

Knowledge and Job Requirements:

• 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.
• Background in gourmet foods, teas, spices, or specialty retail, preferred.
• Experience working with franchise networks or multi-channel product distribution, preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards and certifications for consumables, preferred.
• A passion for high-quality food, tea, and flavor, preferred.

Leadership Style

• Strategic, agile, and collaborative.
• Leader and mentor, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable influencing unpretentiously and working within an evolving structure and growing brand.

Physical Requirements to perform the essential functions of this job:

• Frequent travel by plane and car to Headquarters and to various Stores across the US.
• Consistent ability to utilize hands and fingers to perform tasks as necessary for job duties, which may include operating machinery, handling materials, typing, and designing (8+ hours per day).
• Consistent capacity for visual acuity to monitor processes, examine materials and labels, and ensure quality standards are met (8+ hours per day).
• Consistently communicate in English utilizing both written and oral methods including the use of speech and hearing to communicate effectively with team members, customers, and the ability to engage in verbal discussions and listen attentively (8+ hours per day).
• Consistent ability to perform various physical tasks that require continuous standing (8+ hours per day), sitting (8+ hours per day), walking (8+ hours per day), bending (3-5 hours per day), reaching (8+ hours per day), squatting, (3-5 hours per day), lifting; up to 55 lbs. (8+ hours per day), overhead lifting (3-5 hours per day), carrying (8+ hours per day), pushing/pulling (3-5 hours per day), climbing ladders and stairs (8+ hours per day), and maneuvering within a warehouse workspace (8+ hours per day).
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks (8+ hours per day).
• Ability to visually identify color, substance, products, and their characteristics (8+ hours per day).
• Operation of, but not limited to computer tools and equipment, printers and equipment (8+ hours per day).
• Consistently work around spices; must not be sensitive or allergic to various scents, spices, fruits, extracts, aromas, or personal protective equipment (latex gloves) (8+ hours per day).

TSTE is unable to accommodate sensitivity or allergy to various spices, ingredients, scents and aromas contained in our products. This is core to our business and cannot be avoided.

While we will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodation, such accommodation may not alter the fundamental requirements of the job, cause undue hardship, safety risk, or interfere with the ability to perform essential functions. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to supporting your needs within the scope of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Core Values:

• Commitment; engaged, flexible, patient, open minded.
• Detail Oriented; organized, focused, high quality.
• Reliable; integrity, dependable, authentic.
• Continuous Improvement; performance and safety awareness, goal-oriented, creative mindset, efficient.
• Enthusiastic about food and beverage.
• Teamwork; team-oriented and eager to grow within the company.

Spicy Perks:

• Hybrid Work
• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Spice & Tea Exchange® provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Drug Free Workplace

The Spice & Tea Exchange® is committed to maintaining a safe and productive work environment. The company policy states, all applicants must complete a drug screening test if accepting an offer of employment. Employment offers are contingent upon a negative drug screening test result.

Flexible work from home options available.

We create and share the experience every day Life is better lived with a little spice

The Spice & Tea Exchange ® was founded in 2008, by a group of talented individuals with a passion for life and food. What started as a small shop in St. Augustine, Florida, has quickly grown into a nation-wide franchise powered by flavor, passionate franchise owners, and a desire to bring flavorful ingredients to your kitchen. Our franchise owners are the #1 REASON for what we do, and our team is a close-knit family you'd enjoy sitting with around the dinner table.

"Creating & sharing the experience of a more flavorful life," is the mission and cornerstone of our business, in which we strive to provide guests with quality products and flavorful memories. We offer a high-quality, diverse assortment of products in a sensory shopping experience. One step into our shops will kick your senses into high-gear as you open the jars and smell, explore recipes, and speak with our knowledgeable staff about your culinary interests.

At The Spice & Tea Exchange® we are committed to our mission. If you have a desire to inspire coworkers and customers, we may have a place for you at the table Our employees define experience as all the events of our lives that shape who we are, taking you out of the everyday task list and putting you into a place that takes you to a different state of mind, making memories that are not forgotten, and trying things for the first time The employee experience is something we do not take with a grain of salt.

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