Product Development Manager - Technical

Top Notch Consultancy; Kuwait; On-site; KWD 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Notch Consultancy is seeking a Product Development Manager - Technical in Kuwait to lead innovative product initiatives within the FMCG sector. The role focuses on developing new products, ensuring quality, and managing supplier relationships to drive strategic growth.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years in FMCG product development, strong leadership, and a solid track record of launching successful products, with excellent communication skills in English and familiarity with quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in product development within FMCG/food industry.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and analytical skills with proven track record of successful product launches.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development of new products and re-engineering of existing products, ensuring quality standards.
• Conduct product testing and evaluation to verify new products meet specifications.
• Formulate ingredient and process recipes, preparing technical specs and product declarations.
• Build relationships with suppliers to explore new ingredients and technologies for product development.
• Conduct laboratory-scale trials and supervise pilot plant trials.
• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Production, and QA/QC teams to align on objectives and timelines.
• Lead troubleshooting for product-related issues and ensure cross-team communication.
• Develop annual sales plans and budgets aligned with business objectives; track KPIs.
• Direct and supervise the sales team, fostering teamwork and innovation.

Skills

Product development

Team leadership

Quality assurance

Project management

English communication

Cross-functional collaboration

FMCG knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Technology

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About the job Product Development Manager - Technical

Our client in the FMCG industry is seeking a talented Development Manager -Technical to join their team in Kuwait. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in product development, focusing on creating innovative products and ensuring quality standards. This position offers the opportunity to lead product initiatives and contribute to the strategic growth of the brand in a competitive market.

Responsibilities

Product Development and Quality Assurance

• Oversee the development of new products and the re-engineering of existing products, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
• Conduct product testing and evaluation to verify that new products meet company specifications.
• Formulate ingredient and process recipes, preparing technical specifications and product declarations.

Supplier Engagement and Innovation

• Build relationships with suppliers to explore new ingredients and technologies for product development.
• Conduct laboratory-scale trials and supervise pilot plant trials, ensuring proper execution and documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Production, and QA/QC teams to align on product development objectives and timelines.
• Lead troubleshooting exercises for product-related issues, ensuring effective communication across teams.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Develop annual sales plans and budgets aligned with business objectives, tracking performance against key metrics.
• Identify growth opportunities and set investment and ROI targets based on market analysis and consumer trends.

Team Leadership and Development

• Direct and supervise the sales team, providing guidance and support to achieve planned business objectives.
• Foster teamwork and cooperation, creating an environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in product development within the FMCG or food industry.
• Strong understanding of the dairy and food industry, with the ability to stay updated on the latest trends in food science and technology.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and analytical skills, with a proven track record of successful product launches.
• Familiarity with compliance regulations and quality assurance processes relevant to product development.
• Strong communication skills in English, with proficiency in local languages preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects effectively, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic goals.