Careers New Product Development Manager

New Product Development Manager

Dept: New Product Development

Location: Westlake

20 November 2019

Cape Herb and Spice has grown from entrepreneurial roots into a global player, employing over 500 people and operating over 3 sites in Cape Town. Centered around innovation and quality, Cape Herb and Spice gives any candidate a great opportunity to gain extensive experience and build an exciting career.

Cape Herb & Spice are looking for a full time New Product Development Manager to lead our product development team. Essential to have at least 4-5 years technical experience in the FMCG industry (ideally in Product Development, both local and export markets).

REQUIREMENTS: 
•    Tertiary Qualification in Food Science or Technology 
•    4-5 years’ experience in Food Technology and/or Product Development 
•    People Management experience essential 
•    Experience in Project Management Essential 
•    Experience within the spice category advantageous 
•    Experience in export market advantageous 

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
The NPD Manager performs an important multifunctional role, acting as technical head of the department, as well as being involved in idea generation, recipe development, packaging development, legal compliance to country specific regulations and CPA Management of all projects within the department for both local and export customers. 
The NPD Manager will be responsible for a team of 6 people, including 3 Food Technologists, 1 graphic designer, 1 administrator and 1 sample maker. 

The role involves:
•    Managing launch timelines for both local and export product launches to ensure projects launch within the given timelines (ensure NPD procedure is followed meticulously and timeously)
•    Managing all development, technical and improvement/cost saving projects within the department
•    Provide input on new product innovations as directed by the Marketing Manager
•    Sustainable and compliant sourcing of new raw materials and packaging as required
•    Recipe development
•    Approval of raw material and packaging costings
•    Sign off on structure of new items loaded onto internal system (Syspro - BOMs)
•    Sign off on final label artwork – ensure compliance to countries of sale and customer requirements
•    Review and keep current department procedures up to date to ensure compliance to latest GFSI (BRC and IFS standards), prepare and represent the NPD department in the annual GFSI and customer audits
•    Provide training to the NPD team on departmental procedures as required
•    Research and ensure compliance of new product launches to the relevant regulations for both local and export regions, including areas such as labelling, microbiological requirements, chemical testing requirements, any customer specific requirements etc.
•    Keeping abreast of legislative updates of local and export regions (in conjunction with QA Manager) and implementing the resultant updates as required
•    Collaborating, as required, with Procurement/QA/Production departments on any new processes, category of raw materials or new equipment needed for a new product launch
•    Set up and co-ordinate annual shelf life testing schedule, oversee static shelf life testing schedules
•    Provide technical support to the NPD department, other internal departments and customers
•    Creating, maintaining and training of procedures within the product development department 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR PROPER PERFORMANCE: 
•    Highly committed to deadlines – strong project management and co-ordination skills (ability to co-operate cross functionally, lead projects, assign tasks, set priorities)
•    Strong attention to detail
•    Good people management skills
•    Strong research and analytical ability
•    Solution driven - resourceful, proactive, problem solving skills
•    Effective communication and excellent interpersonal skills at all levels, both written and verbal
•    Ability to perform under pressure
•    Team orientated and enthusiastic
•    Proficient in MS Office, Syspro knowledge an advantage 
•    Passion for food and cookery will be advantageous
•    Reliable, honest and courteous
•    Presentable
•    Driver’s license required
 

HR Contact:Mary-Rose Wrigley

Enquire now:maryrose.shannon@capeherb.co.za

Telephone:021 701 5140