Senior Specialist- Product Management Cleaning at Defy Appliances

Job Description

• We are currently seeking a Senior Specialist – Product Manager to join our dynamic team in Durban Jacobs, responsible for managing the product portfolio for the South African domestic market.
• The role is strongly product-management centric, encompassing product planning, development, and full lifecycle management to ensure a competitive and relevant offering for local customers.
• The successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual who will take ownership of steering the product range both in the short and long term, aligning products to market needs, customer insights, and business strategy.
• The role requires close collaboration with Sales, Supply Chain, R&D, and HQ PM teams to successfully execute new product launches and drive the ongoing success of the current product range.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create long-term and short-term product range plans.
• To maintain the Key product development files: NPI, SKU Monitor, Model retail pricing target, Product Introduction Calendar
• To support the co-ordination of new product development issues
• To monitor, manage and communicate internally all relevant legislations affecting all products.
• To work closely with the production plants providing product briefs and to guide them on product design, feature trends and to keep to date on market related costs.
• To provide effective and timely communication and support to internal customers such as Sales, Customer Support, Supply Chain and Service teams on all product related issues including: sales performance, market positioning, technical and commercial issues to ensure internal customers are up to date with all product related issues
• To manage and provide reports on the SKU count and commercial performance of the ranges. Take necessary actions to improve performance or discontinue models to maintain a competitive range that is appealing to our retail customers.
• To develop marketable communications concepts backed by qualified data capable of supporting potential product promotional claims.
• Support in stock review and forecast evaluations on new models as well as key strategic models for market share growth and sales distribution proposals thereof.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc Degree in Engineering (preferrable), Business, Marketing
• 2–5 years’ experience in product, category, or commercial roles (FMCG or consumer durables preferred)
• Exposure to end-to-end product lifecycle management, from concept to launch and post-launch analysis/performance tracking
• Strong analytical and technical skills, with confidence working with data and insights
• Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and stock control
• Confident in creating and presenting data-led recommendations
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with marketing, sales, supply chain, and technical teams
• Growth mindset – adaptable, curious, and eager to learn

Closing Date 26 January 2026