Product Developer at Pick n Pay Stores Limited

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant Degree/Diploma in Consumer Science/Food Science/Product Development
• 4 – 7 years product development experience
• Experience in product development in the relevant category is essential
• Knowledge of Retail Merchandise principles and proven track record of identifying and launching new categories and repositioning established ranges within specific categories

Competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Controls Quality & Standards
• Customer Orientation/Passion for Customer
• Influencing and Innovative
• Attention to Detail
• Team Orientation
• Strong Communication Skills
• Judgement
• Commercial and Financial Acumen
• Building relationships and collaborative networking
• Ability to effectively plan, prioritise and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Problem solver who can identify any key issues in a changing environment
• Team player
• Driven and adaptable
• Retail environment experience

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and effectively implement the Innovation Agenda for the product area by identifying suitable products for new and improved offers to ensure outstanding product deliverables
• Develop and launch new products in accordance with the company processes and development criteria
• Defined product development process is followed, including products sign offs and Commerical alignment
• Ensure the successful launch of all new products, both regionally and nationally within the stipulated launch periods.
• Enable factory trials / first packing, production at the suppliers with Food Technologists
• Keep abreast of competitor activities, topical issues, current events, food industry, trends and technology
• Ensure packaging process is followed, and awareness of sustainability targets
• Make recommendations for new attractive on shelf and improved packaging specification to ensure reduction of costs and improved functionality and customers acceptance
• Ensure that each new product and process undergoes a comprehensive and documented evaluation
• Use outside influences and/or centres of excellence to help drive innovation agenda
• Monitor the performance of new and improved products to take the appropriate action for non-performers and evaluate the contribution to improved customer satisfaction as well as the increased profitability of the range
• Monitor sales and profitability of products
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers; demonstrates confidence and expertise when interacting with suppliers
• Work with suppliers according to company values.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers to mutually share financial and other performance criteria; uses metrics to identify performance gaps.
• Develops and implements contingency plans to close development gaps
• Analyse work errors, successes and failures in order to sets learning strategies to rectify and increase knowledge; recognise gaps in own skill set, seeks and takes advantage of learning opportunities by applying new learnt skills on the job to enhance effectiveness.
• Specialization in the Canned & Packages category is essential.

Closing date: 14 July 2025