Manager: Product & Packaging Development at Clover S.A. Proprietary Limited

Job Advert Summary    

• Clover os looking for a Manager: Product & Packaging Development to management of the concept phase of Clover's Product- & Packaging Development Department process. Responsible for concept clarification on the design of products which are complex and of a high profile. The incumbent is involved in market research, conducting a business viability study and finalising the product design into scope clarification. Manages partnerships with relevant stakeholders and leads the concept development phase in the R&D process. Provides project activation support and building capability to support the strategic agenda.  

Requirements    

• Degree in Food Science
• Relevant experience in applying job related concepts, techniques and processes at the required level
• Experience in working with senior management
• People management experience
• Professional registration
• Business English: Fluent
• Computer literacy (Advanced)
• Code 08 Driver's license
• Travel off-site/ overnight stay

Competencies    

• Coach and develop people
• Ability to influence
• Proactive and action orientated
• Approaches situations with an open mind and solves problems creatively
• Solves problems through effective decision making
• Clear and sound reasoning ability
• Build high performing teams
• Business acumen
• Lead and drive change for improvement
• Collaborate with others to achieve a common objective
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Commitment and motivation
• Administrative capabilities
• Customer orientated
• Thinking and reasoning logically
• Ability to plan and organize
• Ability to manage projects

Duties and Responsibilities    
Concepts to scope phase relating to new products (formulation & packaging) with the required supporting services and activities              

• Implement innovation HUB and develop trends on new technologies
• Provide a development framework to clarify ideas to scope level and prioritize projects to investigation to commercialisation
• Compliance to project feasibility study, ensuring stakeholders adhere to concept development related matters
• Accurate deliverables and customer satisfaction
• Ensure adherence to not move into development protocols but rather keeping to clarification of ideas to scope phase
• Stay abreast of local & international product launches & trends and communicate opportunities within the Business
• Establish frequent strategic innovation sessions with Marketing to share local and global innovations, ideas and trends
• Build strong networks with key ingredient suppliers with the objective to obtain information on innovation, new technology and application
• Ensure the development of products in line with the Marketing brief and company's business plans, cost targets and delivering on defined consumer expectations
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with Marketing, Procurement, Production, NBD, Quality and other relevant internal functions

Evaluate identified projects for business/financial viability and execute according to expectations               

• Manage the concept development of new products within guidelines
• Plan within marketing strategy / needs
• Indicate plant / process requirements
• Ensure established / agreed specifications guidelines to give needed info to development teams for further investigation and execution          

Draft, implement & maintain the required policies, procedures, systems and techniques to ensure that Concept product- & packaging development are executed efficiently

• Approve workflows and idea prioritisation
• Maintain integrity of the concept development process
• Define & develop communication protocols with interfacing business departments
• Communicate new packaging technology & innovation relevant to various product strategies
• Identify opportunities for packaging optimisation 

Represent the product- & packaging development function in projects       

• Identify & manage risks with moving from concept clarification to actual development
• Adhere to required project milestones with regard to stakeholder requirements while ensuring effective transitioning from concept to actual development    

Create needed info to share with development teams info required for product- & packaging specifications             

• Concept level bill of material (BOM) without moving into actual development
• Understand implications and clarify info for work maps, colour specification, dimensional drawings etc
• Understand implications and clarify info required by branch QC evaluations included in specification
• Understand implications and clarify info required by technical teams to be able to understand what to develop to commercialize

Manage staff (Future potential)     

• Ensure optimal utilisation of staff
• Apply consistent discipline
• Train and develop staff
• Conduct meetings and ensure effective communication to all
• Liaise and communicate with management in all departments
• Provide leadership and training to staff members within the department
• Set objectives, manage and measure performance of team