PRODUCT DEVELOPER: PLANT BASED, OSTRICH & BILTONG
Listing reference: woolw_000799
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 18 March 2024
Position summary
Industry: FMCG & Supply Management
Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Location: Western Cape
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: MARKET RELATED
EE position: No
Introduction
As a Product Developer in a world-class food retailer, you will execute our customer centric product strategy. Your key focus will be to develop and deliver innovative commercially viable product solutions that are anchored in quality and sustainability that will influence the way our nation eats.
You will guide and motivate teams and key stakeholders, to collaboratively deliver a customer centric product strategy.
Job description
- Strategy - Integrate and implement product strategy into development plans for the relevant department(s)
- Translate, integrate & implement strategy into departmental plans that detail a forward view approach and goals that are achievable and measurable
- Understand the retail competitor market & customer need states so as to meet and exceed expectations
- Apply customer & trends insights into product development briefs for suppliers
- Inspire, develop, position and manage, new and existing, product ranges that are innovative and commercially viable
- Ensure all product development is underpinned by sustainability - better food choices, better for the environment, better for people
- Product Excellence - Drive and maintain a world-class sustainable product and packaging standard and framework
- Establish and maintain product quality standards across product ranges
- Integrate with Central Quality & Suppliers to conduct and analyse comparative and directional benchmarking, and translate outcomes into product plans where applicable
- Display clear understanding of the science (cooking, cooking processes, growing programs, aesthetics, sensorial elements, safety aspects) of the relevant category, while keeping abreast and implementing new advancements where relevant
- Develop and upskill your product sensory acuity
- Consistently support execution of QC with Matrix team
- Leadership - Inspire and influence the product teams and key stakeholders to deliver industry leadership position
- Collaboratively and inclusively integrate with key stakeholders in achieving key product development milestones, ensuring a commercial and sustainability lens is considered at all times
- Timeously achieve milestones by consistently encouraging and aligning quality outputs
- Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members, helping them grow professionally
- Culture - Amplify and embody an environment of creativity, growth, knowledge and empowerment
- Demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to quality, setting a high standard for the team to follow
- Understand and actively share culinary and technical product knowledge with suppliers, matrix and PD teams
- Research and share new and inspiring product and food retail innovations
- Inspiring, leading and articulating product innovation, with teams
- Researching, defining and setting the product intrinsic and brand values
- Self-motivated and curious to upskill and refine product and culinary knowledge
- Process - Drive, integrate and own product development processes and supporting systems
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of how delicious products are developed from conceptualisation to post launch on shelf, including production processes within our supplier base
- Ability to create and manage critical paths collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders
- Brief & align product and packaging design to best position the product to meet customer needs
- Effectively utilise systems and technical resources to optimise project management, engagement and alignment with key stakeholders and maintaining quality standards
- Ensure alignment and integration with Packaging Support Specialist to ensure packaging is considered throughout the development process
Minimum requirements
- Relevant Degree/ Diploma/ Qualification in Food and Consumer Science, Chef, Horticulture or Food technology/ Science
- 3-5 yrs experience in the food industry or relevant industry experience
- Minimum 1 year experience in Food product development, Retail, FMCG brand management or hospitality essential
- Experience of working cross functionally or within a matrix organisation
- Horticulture & HPPC
- Courses & experience within field of brand management, product ranging and development
- Willingness to travel locally and internationally
