Job Description

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
To interpret customer needs and lifestyle trends to deliver a product development plan that delivers leading innovation, maximises core growth, ensures consistent high quality, value for money and exceeds our customer's expectations, whilst contributing to the respective category's overall profitability.
Job description

• Integrate and implement product strategy into development plans for the relevant department(s):

• Understand the retail competitor market & customer need states to meet and exceed expectations.
• Apply customer & trends insights into product development briefs for suppliers.
• Drive and maintain a world-class sustainable product and packaging standard and framework:

• Integrate with Central Quality & Suppliers to conduct and analyse comparative and directional benchmarking and translate outcomes into product plans where applicable.
• Display a clear understanding of the science (aesthetics, sensorial elements, safety aspects) of the relevant category, while keeping abreast and implementing new advancements where relevant.
• Inspire and influence the product teams and key stakeholders to deliver industry leadership positions:

• 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
• 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.
• Drive, integrate, and own product development processes and supporting systems:

• Ensure alignment and integration with the Packaging Support Specialist to ensure packaging is considered throughout the development process.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how relevant and effective FMCG products are developed from conceptualisation to post-launch on shelf, including production processes within our supplier base.

• BSc Consumer Science or Relevant degree/ diploma.
• 3- 5 years foods product development or related experience
• Pet and / or Baby experience will be advantageous
• A Passion and understanding of Pet and Baby category
• Understanding of the Pet & Baby market
• A superior eye for detail and product flair is essential
• Ability to interpret and drive innovation strategy across category
• An innovative specialist that can work independently, who can assertively initiate, drive and execute new product development
• Understanding of retail, foods & lifestyle trends and target market & range segmentation
• Customer knowledge & understanding
• Strong planning and project management skills
• Results driven
• Innovative / continuous improvement mind-set
• Team player with appreciation of diversity
• Computer literate
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Proven commercial aptitude - ability to understand and use financial indicators
• Ability to incorporate product strategy into supplier base
• Proven ability to work with design team to ensure appropriate visual imagery is developed within the corporate brand identity
• Strong integrator - proven ability to work within in a matrix and lead / drive cross group projects
• Strong presentation, communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to set and improve quality standards in a complex supplier base.