Deputy Product Development Manager at Pedros Flame Grilled Chicken

Job Description

• Pedros is seeking an experienced Deputy Head of Product Development to act as second-in-command (2IC) to the Head of Product Development.
• This role is responsible for co-leading the Product Development team, driving day-to-day execution of the product pipeline, and ensuring product outcomes are delivered on time, on brand and on budget.
• The successful candidate will manage people, process and output, deputising for the Head of Product Development as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Product Development

• Support the Head of Product Development in shaping and executing the product development strategy and roadmap.
• Own the end-to-end delivery of new menu items, flavour innovations and value offerings, from concept through to launch.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations and Franchise teams to ensure successful product rollouts.
• Monitor product performance post-launch and recommend improvements based on sales data, customer feedback and market trends.
• Manage product development budgets, timelines and supplier relationships in collaboration with the Head of Product Development.
• Ensure all products meet Pedros' quality, food safety and brand standards.

Team & People Management

• Directly manage, coach and develop members of the Product Development team, ensuring clear goals and accountability.
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews and development planning for direct reports.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture aligned with Pedros' values.
• Manage team workload, prioritisation and resourcing across concurrent product projects.
• Act as a deputy to the Head of Product Development, stepping in to lead the team and key decisions in their absence.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and capability-building within the Product Development team.

Leadership & Reporting

• Report on product development progress, risks and outcomes to the Head of Product Development and wider leadership.
• Contribute to strategic planning sessions, bringing insights from the team and the market.
• Champion best practice in product development processes, tools and ways of working.

Requirements:

• Proven previous experience in a Product Development role, ideally within food, FMCG, retail or QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) environments.
• Demonstrated people management experience, including direct line management of a team.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple product initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong commercial and analytical acumen, with the ability to interpret sales and customer data.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience within the QSR, restaurant or food franchise industry.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle and NPD (New Product Development) frameworks.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Business, Marketing or a related field.

Closing Date 04 September 2026