Product Development Coordinator/Admin

About Inaba Foods (USA) Inc.

Inaba Foods is a manufacturer of premium pet food, treats, toppers, and complements, deeply rooted in a family tradition of excellence that spans generations. Since 1958, pet parents have trusted Inaba to deliver products that are human-grade, nutrient-rich, and designed to bring joy to pets.

Today, Inaba is the most popular brand of premium cat and dog dinners and treats in Japan, with growing distribution throughout the United States and globally. Inaba Foods (USA) Inc. continues to expand its footprint, invest in talent, and build long-term partnerships across the pet industry, supported by the stability and vision of our Japanese parent company.

Position Overview
We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Product Development Coordinator to support the Product Development Manager in the planning, execution, and follow-through of new product initiatives. This role is critical in helping manage day-to-day tasks that ensure new product concepts move efficiently from ideation to launch. The coordinator will assist in research, labeling review, packaging development, and external communications with consultants and designers.

This is an in-office position located in Torrance, CA

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in brainstorming and evaluating new product concepts and naming ideas to align with market trends and brand positioning.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to support new product development and innovation strategy.
• Prepare and summarize market research reports to guide decision-making.
• Coordinate and perform detailed reviews of product labels for all new items, ensuring compliance with:
  • AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards
  • Grammar, spelling, and typo corrections
  • Internal branding and messaging consistency
• Liaise with consulting companies for regulatory, labeling, or product development support.
• Communicate with local designers to develop temporary or sample packaging for internal review, presentations, and market testing.
• Organize and track project milestones, documents, and timelines to help keep the Product Development Manager on schedule and informed.
• Support cross-functional communication between internal teams and external partners as needed.
• Other administrative duties as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Food Science, or a related field preferred
• 3 years of experience in product development, marketing, or project coordination
• Detail-oriented with strong proofreading and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Bilingual English/Japanese REQUIRED
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Experience working with or knowledge of AAFCO labeling standards is a plus
• Comfortable working with external vendors, consultants, and designers
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to take initiative

"Inaba Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment laws, including California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act."