Product Development Manager

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Reports To: CEO / COO

Purpose of the Role

The Product Development Manager will be responsible for driving the organisation’s tissue product portfolio and overseeing the full lifecycle of product development — from concept and design through to commercialization and market launch.

The role requires a combination of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and innovation capability to ensure products meet performance, quality, cost-efficiency, and market requirements. The successful incumbent will work closely with manufacturing, procurement, marketing, and external suppliers to develop and optimise products that support business growth and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Development & Innovation
  • Lead the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) process, including concept generation, product design, prototyping, testing, and commercial launch.
  • Conduct market research and consumer trend analysis to identify opportunities for product innovation and differentiation.
  • Manage product testing processes including sensory testing such as softness and absorbency.
  • Ensure new products are successfully transitioned from development into pilot production and full-scale manufacturing.
• Product Design & Optimisation
  • Optimise product design attributes including fibre composition, ply structure, embossing patterns, perforations, and packaging solutions.
  • Improve product functionality, durability, consumer experience, and shelf appeal.
  • Apply data-driven analysis to enhance product performance, sustainability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Cost Management & Value Engineering
  • Conduct detailed cost analysis and value engineering initiatives to optimise production costs while maintaining product quality.
  • Identify opportunities for raw material optimisation, energy efficiency improvements, and waste reduction.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
  • Support SHEQ teams in implementing and maintaining quality control standards and testing protocols.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant SABS standards, ISO 9001 requirements, FSC certification, and hygiene regulations.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to drive continuous improvement.
• Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility
  • Drive sustainability initiatives including eco-friendly product innovations, biodegradable materials, and reduced plastic packaging.
  • Contribute to environmental performance tracking aligned to the organisation’s ESG objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with manufacturing, procurement, marketing, and supplier partners to ensure alignment on product development projects.
  • Facilitate project meetings and workshops to drive progress across departments.
  • Provide updates and presentations to senior leadership on project progress and outcomes.
• Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis
  • Monitor competitor products, emerging technologies, and consumer trends.
  • Identify opportunities for product differentiation and market growth.
• Budget & Resource Management
  • Manage product development project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
  • Conduct risk assessments and ensure projects are delivered efficiently and within approved budgets.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Paper Science / Technology, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Postgraduate qualification such as MSc, MBA, or Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology would be advantageous.
• Project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile would be advantageous.
• 10 – 15 years’ experience in product development, R&D, or technical roles within FMCG manufacturing.
• Experience in tissue, paper, or hygiene product manufacturing environments would be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated success managing New Product Development projects from concept through to commercialization.
• Experience with cost modelling, product costing, or management accounting principles would be beneficial.
• Exposure to ERP systems and advanced Excel modelling for product costing and analysis.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Strong technical knowledge of tissue converting processes and paper product manufacturing.
• Understanding of pulp and paper chemistry, material properties, and manufacturing equipment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Strong organisational and project management capability.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies would be advantageous.
• Awareness of global trends in tissue and hygiene product innovation.

Personal Attributes

• Innovative and forward-thinking mindset.
• Strong commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong stakeholder engagement capability.

Other Requirements

• South African citizen or valid work permit holder.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, the Johannesburg / Gauteng area.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to production sites or supplier facilities.