Why It Is Important for a Product Developer to Have a Strong Technical Background

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a job as a developer strictly because of their ability to win over the hiring team. Although they might be easy to work with, the time will come when products or research must be presented to customers. If design does not meet demand, the client will look to other sources to fulfill their needs. A developer who consistently underperforms relative to others will create a loss of clientele base and eventually profit loss will ensue.

Advancement

Both large and small companies have opportunities for career advancement. Product developers have the potential to move both laterally and vertically within a company. Lateral moves are usually to positions with relatively equal scientific requirements. Examples of lateral movement of a product developer are to a development role within other product lines or categories, or to roles such as technologists, or engineers. These would require sound scientific capabilities. However, opportunities for vertical movement into a management or even executive role for a company would require a mix of interpersonal and technical competences. For example, two current developers are being considered for a promotion to a management position. One candidate has a PhD in Food Science and is a great source of technical data but lacks empathy, communication skills, and the ability to understand different work styles. The other candidate has bachelor’s degree in Food Science and an MBA. He is scientifically competent but does not have the knowledge depth of the PhD employee.

It is quite possible that the employee with the PhD will remain in a development role while the employee with an MBA will advance to the new management position. This further solidifies the theory that strong technical skills are important for product development roles.

Ultimately Food scientist are specifically trained and educated to provide technical knowledge and sound advice for companies within the food industry. Whether it be a recent graduate hired to help a startup company or an industry expert brought on to advise a corporate giant, product developers are required to possess a high level of specialized scientific talent. Although it is ideal for any employee to possess both scientific and relational skills, a product developer who lacks technical proficiency will eventually fail to meet their primary responsibility as a scientist.