Job Summary
The following information aims to provide potential candidates with a better understanding of the requirements for this role.
With a strategic vision and a passion for innovation, the
Product Lead QSR & On-The-Go
drives the overall product portfolio strategy and ensures alignment with market trends and business objectives. This role leads product innovation initiatives and manages high-impact customer requests and tenders in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
As the key driver of portfolio growth, the Product Lead QSR & On-The-Go combines strong commercial skills, customer engagement, and financial insight to inspire stakeholders through clear communication and persuasive product pitches. The role partners closely with Product Marketing to deliver successful product campaigns, while maintaining market and cost price analyses to guide strategic decisions.
Beyond internal leadership, this position builds external networks to unlock innovation opportunities, fosters knowledge sharing together with the team, and integrates ESG principles into product development and presentations. Acting as a thought leader and influencer, the Product Lead QSR & On-The-Go ensures the growth of the portfolio by guaranteeing our products remain competitive and aligned with customer needs.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Define and lead product portfolio strategy – Develop a strong product portfolio strategy aligned with market trends and business objectives, ensuring internal alignment and buy‑in.
Drive product innovation and business cases – Lead new product development initiatives and create compelling business cases in collaboration with Sales and Business Support.
Manage customer requests and major tenders – Filter and prioritize customer requirements, define the problem to be solved, and determine the best solutions to offer with support of the Product Manager.
Communicate and inspire – Present ideas confidently to leadership teams, manage expectations, and pitch product solutions that win over customers and stakeholders.
Develop Product Campaigns – Collaborate closely with the Product Marketing team to create and deliver impactful product campaigns that strengthen market positioning and drive customer engagement.
Engage commercially – Build strong customer relationships. Collaborate closely with sales teams, while maintaining strong connections with internal operations.
Maintain financial and market insights – Analyze market pricing, cost structures, and trends. Conduct make‑or‑buy assessments and maintain portfolio‑related financial and regulatory insights to inform strategic decisions.
Foster external engagement and knowledge sharing – Build a network of external experts and innovation partners, and ensure product training and knowledge sharing together with the team. Embed sustainability considerations into product presentations and development processes.
Core Competencies and Requirements
Education
Master degree in Product Development, Economics, Marketing or similar by experience.
Work Experience
7–10 years in product management, with at least 1‑3 years in a senior/lead capacity (owning a portfolio and influencing cross‑functional roadmaps).
Commercial exposure: regular customer engagement, co‑creating solutions with key accounts, supporting major tenders/RFQs, and partnering closely with Sales.
Hands‑on experience with product campaigns in partnership with Product Marketing.
Technical Skills
Certification, licenses and registration:
Understanding of product lifecycle management.
Insight in supply chain or manufacturing (incl. tooling, molding, packaging converting).
Awareness of customer workflows and operational environments.
Analytics: Excel (advanced), basic financial modeling; familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Power BI).
Strong PowerPoint skills for leadership narratives and customer presentations.
Core Competencies Required
Strategic planning and product solutions thinking.
Stakeholder and relationship management.
Clear written and verbal communication.
Commercial, marketing and financial skills.
Project & process management.
Creative and analytical problem‑solving.
A feeling for design and graphics is a plus.
Background in QSR, foodservice, food packaging, or consumer goods—ideally with sustainable materials (recyclable/compostable/reusable).
Job Dimensions
Our product portfolio for the QSR and On-The-Go market is a core focus for deSter. It includes co‑developed sustainable food packaging and reusable tableware for leading Quick Service Restaurants, as well as innovative packaging solutions for food on the go. Our range spans recyclable, compostable, and reusable items such as serving trays, meal trays, clamshells, salad bowls, and dishes.
Environment and Safety
Every deSter employee contributes to a safe and environmentally conscious working environment and in doing so assumes the following responsibilities:
Act in a safe and environmentally conscious manner in all work activities.
Contribute to deSter's environmental and safety objectives and performance.
Actively report deviations, hazardous situations and incidents. xphnsxz
Participate in analyses and initiatives that frame within environment and safety and are relevant to the job.
If you want to know more about deSter’s Environmental and Social commitments, go to we offer
Joining deSter means you will become a part of an innovative company with sustainability at heart and colleagues & customers globally. Besides competitive salary and benefits, we also offer hybrid way of working (office/remote) and a team of colleagues that have a passion & enthusiasm for what they do.
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