PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: POULTRY, SEAFOOD AND DAIRY

at  Woolworths

POSITION SUMMARY

Industry: FMCG & Supply Management
Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Location: Western Cape
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Shape, articulate, influence and implement strategic product direction for category.
• Collaborate with teams and key stakeholders to ensure that the product directional framework supports the business strategy.
• Balance the integration of product leadership, product excellence, and commercial viability.
• Set a world-class sustainable product and packaging standard and framework.
• Establish, clearly define and communicate this world class product standard.
• Co-create and articulate a product directional framework.
• Lead a motivated team of world class product developers and integrate with all stakeholders to always deliver industry leadership position.
• Enable and unlock the diverse and unique individual strengths and skills within the team to deliver foods strategy.
• Clarify and align across matrix functions and with suppliers to cut through complexity, remove barriers and provide clear and decisive decision making.
• Inspire and drives a thriving culture that enables high performance and cultivate an empowering environment that drives inclusivity and collaboration and advances the team’s skillsets and capabilities.
• Identifies, nurtures, develops, rewards and retains talent.
• Enable teams to deliver at pace by proactively identifying and unblocking obstacles and leverage team strengths for stronger dynamic.
• Teams are supported by an appropriate and relevant skills plan in support of their development, succession and growth.
• Influences and supports product development processes and supporting systems.
• Support teams along the product development process: gate approvals, assisting to remove obstacles, improve processes.
• Brief strategic cross group initiatives, including design.
• Advocate for resources when required, including budget, personnel, and technology, to support the product development process.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant Degree/ Diploma/ Qualification in Food and Consumer Science, Chef, Horticulture or Food technology/ Science
• 8-10 yrs experience in the food industry or relevant industry experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Food product development, Retail, FMCG brand management or hospitality essential
• Experience in Poultry, Seafood and / or Dairy will be advantageous
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in leading a team of diverse people.
• Experience of working cross functionally or within a matrix organisation
• Network of Food supplier relations – Local/ International
• Relevant business/ management qualifications e.g. SMDP
• Awareness of global food, health and lifestyle trends
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally.
• Commercial Acumen
• Customer Centric
• Project Management
• Passionate Ambassador
• Product Expertise
• Innovation Mindset
• Retail & Related Industry Knowledge
• Data Intelligence

Please refer the Job description for details