SUMMARY:
Our client in the Tulbagh area is looking for a Senior New Product Developer (Current Products) for the development, optimisation, and technical stewardship of the current product portfolio. The incumbent researches, develops, and implements product improvements and line extensions that align with market trends, customer expectations, and business objectives while balancing creative product development with cost efficiency, manufacturability, and full food safety and regulatory compliance in a fast-paced FMCG production environment
POSITION INFO:
Minimum Requirements: Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field Minimum 8 years' experience in New Product Development within the FMCG manufacturing industry Strong understanding of FMCG production processes and quality standards Knowledge of food safety systems such as HACCP, GMP, and ISO standards Experience with product trials, formulation, and factory implementation processes Excellent project management and organisational skills Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities Computer literacy in MS Office (Excel) and product development systems Experience in food and beverage FMCG products (advantageous) Knowledge of retailer requirements and product compliance standards (advantageous) Experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments (advantageous) Duties and Responsibilities: Product Development & Optimisation (Current Products) Support continuous improvement initiatives and product optimisation projects across the current range Conduct product trials, testing, and evaluations to ensure product quality, functionality, and manufacturability Formulate and improve existing products while maintaining cost efficiency and quality standards Research and develop product concepts and improvements for the current product portfolio, in line with market trends and customer requirements Technical Documentation & Raw Materials Conduct shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations, and stability testing where applicable Support factory implementation of new and revised products, including line trials and scale-up to full production Prepare product specifications, technical documentation, and production instructions Source and evaluate raw materials and ingredients for product development and reformulation Compliance, Quality & Food Safety Partner with Quality Assurance on specification sign-off, validation trials, and product safety assurance prior to implementation Work within HACCP, GMP, and ISO food safety systems across all product development activity Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, quality standards, and legal labelling requirements Cross-Functional Collaboration & Market Insight Work closely with Production, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Sales teams during product development and launch phases Support retailer requirements and customer-specific product standards Monitor market trends, competitor products, and consumer insights to identify innovation opportunities and optimisation opportunities Project & Timeline Management Manage product development timelines and ensure projects are completed within deadlines Maintain accurate project documentation and report development progress to the HOD Research and Development Key Performance Areas On-time completion of product development and optimisation projects against annual plan Product trial success rate and first-time-right handover to Production Cost efficiency of reformulations (margin maintained or improved on revised products) Quality and completeness of product specifications and technical documentation Shelf-life and stability performance of current products against target Compliance pass rate on specifications, labelling, and food safety requirements PLEASE NOTE : Thank you for your interest in this position, we will review and be in touch if you are suitable. Due to the amount of applications we receive for each position, we are unable to respond to each one individually. Please accept your application as unsuccessful if you had no feedback within 7 days of applying . Your CV will remain on our database and we will be in touch for other suitable positions. *** In the meantime, please download our which will hopefully help you understand our process and how we work. When applying, ensure your CV is in WORD or PDF format, and not scanned. Scanned CV's will not be considered. If you are unable to apply through the link we have provided, please upload your CV to our website We reserve the right to stop\/renew adverts. By applying to our adverts, you accept our POPI Act policy, a copy which be found on our website.
