{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Startup CPG Podcast","title":"#227 - Operations Ask-Me-Anything with Jamie Valenti-Jordan","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/98e87e9c\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2177,"description":"In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff speaks with Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, a leader in food and beverage product development, scale-up, and manufacturing strategy. Jamie brings decades of experience guiding brands from concept to commercialization, and a mission-driven focus on helping innovators build sustainable food systems for a rapidly growing population.Throughout the conversation, Jamie breaks down the realities of bringing products to market—from choosing the right product developer to navigating the complexities of frozen logistics, ingredient sourcing, and co-manufacturing partnerships. He offers clear, pragmatic frameworks for evaluating partners, managing risk, and building cost-effective operations, while emphasizing the importance of communication, collaboration, and long-term relationship building.Daniel and Jamie also explore the structural challenges early-stage brands face when entering manufacturing environments not optimized for small batches, and why founders must understand the economics and constraints of their partners to negotiate effectively and scale responsibly.Listen in as they discuss:How to identify and evaluate independent product developersChallenges and cost drivers in frozen DTC logisticsWhere and how emerging brands can source core ingredientsSampling strategies and pilot runs for early-stage commercializationThe operational realities behind low minimum order quantitiesHow co-manufacturers structure their costs and capacity planningBest practices for visiting facilities and developing working relationshipsKey considerations when reviewing co-packer contractsThe role of transparency, expectations, and shared accountabilityEpisode LinksWebsite: https://www.catapultserv.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fvmh97c/ Product Developer Database Submissions: https://bit.ly/productdevelopersepg contact: janele@enterprisepurchasing.com, mention Startup CPGJoin the...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/pMuUaMpWaAi3tfCEgC2OkLBVzokuLjLsIzwDIbGFqi4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hMTFl/MTgxNTNlZTAwZjU1/ZmNmNWM1ZjkwMDg5/NTU4MS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}