New Product Developer FTC – Amaro Foods / Cape Town at Amaro Foods

Purpose

To interpret customer needs and lifestyle trends for the development of a product development plan that delivers consistent high quality, value for money and exceeds customer expectations; whilst contributing to the respective category’s profitability and the company’s strategic goals and objectives.

Key Performance Outputs

• Interpret and utilize customer and food trends to develop proposals aligned to trends and business objectives
• Conduct market research for benchmarking, including range reviews locally and internationally
• Develop products aligned to customer requirements and briefs, business objectives and legislative requirements
• Responsible for creating and validating recipes/recipe processes/packaging through kitchen and factory trials
• Manage and implement the product development process within the category to ensure product ranges are delivered in line with product direction and brand values
• Continuously look for ways to upgrade existing product ranges according to customer and business requirements
• Conduct the planning, organizing and monitoring of trials with the relevant teams
• Sample submission to the customer
• Attend / set up meetings as required
• Liaise with Procurement Department to ensure that raw materials are available for production trials within the allocated timeframes
• Raw Material stock management
• Coordinate role players impacting timelines for product launches
• Conducting product presentations to the customer
• Maintain a project tracking sheet (CPA), to ensure that the status regarding current projects are reported on regularly
• Update and maintain necessary project documentation
• Document and file the confirmed recipes for easy access
• Reviewing and approving artwork via OPAL
• Ensure feedback forms and recipes are updated timeously, according to the CPA milestones
• Responsible for submitting the recipes to the Finance departments’ Cost Accountant
• To complete day to day administration timeously
• Produce high quality, innovative product samples and ensure these are delivered to the customer
• Review, set and continuously improve quality standards of existing product ranges through local and international benchmarking
• Comply with the necessary Occupational Health and Safety requirements
• Ensure NPD compliance is in line with company certifications, food safety regulations, allergen control, housekeeping and pest control
• Participate in personal hygiene checks

Technical Skills and Experience

• Degree or diploma in Consumer Science or relevant Culinary qualification or 5 years’ experience in a similar position
• Experience in food product development or related foods experience
• Previous work experience with a Top End Retail supplier is advantageous
• A superior palate and sensory evaluation skills
• FPI, Opal and Syspro experience advantageous