Development Technologists- Projects (Groceries and Special Buys)

Cape Herb; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Herb & Spice is seeking a Project Development Technologist in Cape Town to support innovation and new product development for local and international markets. The role spans grocery categories such as wet condiments and sauces, driving concepts from concept to launch with strong project management.

You will coordinate with customers, suppliers and Libstar units, manage artwork, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain product specs and BOMs.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Food Technology, Food Science or Consumer Science.
• 2–5 years’ experience in product development within the FMCG or food manufacturing industry.
• Experience with grocery products, sauces, condiments or other food categories will be advantageous.
• Project management experience will be advantageous.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing innovative and commercially viable product concepts and recipes across a range of grocery categories.
• Support recipe formulation, product optimisation and product costings.
• Take ownership of projects following concept development and drive them through to successful launch.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, CPAs and key deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities and keep stakeholders aligned throughout the project.
• Work with other Libstar business units, suppliers and manufacturing partners where required to support product development and project delivery.
• Manage artwork from brief through to approval, including adaptations across customers and international markets.
• Coordinate customer, regulatory and compliance requirements to ensure artwork and products meet market requirements.
• Create and maintain product specifications, Bill of Materials and supporting technical documentation.
• Support packaging development, factory trials, travel tests and first production runs.
• Identify project risks and delays, following through on actions to keep projects on track.

Skills

Project management

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Education

Degree or Diploma in Food Technology/ Food Science/ Consumer Science

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Reporting: Product Developer

Location: Westlake
*Please note that the location of this role will be moving to Montague Gardens in May 2027.

Cape Herb & Spice has grown from entrepreneurial roots into a global FMCG player, employing over 500 people and operating over 4 sites in Cape Town with a wide range of products across various categories.

Centered around innovation and quality, Cape Herb & Spice gives any candidate a great opportunity to gain extensive international experience and build an exciting career.

Purpose:

We are looking for a Project Development Technologist to join our development team, supporting innovation and new product development for key customers across local and international markets.

The role will work across a variety of grocery categories, including wet condiments, sauces and other food products, as well as Special Buy developments. You will assist in developing innovative product concepts and recipes, with primary responsibility for driving projects through the development process from concept to launch.

With a strong focus on project management, cross-functional coordination and artwork delivery, you will work closely with customers, suppliers and other Libstar business units to ensure projects are delivered accurately and on time.

Key Functional Duties:

• Assist in developing innovative and commercially viable product concepts and recipes across a range of grocery categories.
• Support recipe formulation, product optimisation and product costings.
• Take ownership of projects following concept development and drive them through to successful launch.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, CPAs and key deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities and keep stakeholders aligned throughout the project.
• Work with other Libstar business units, suppliers and manufacturing partners where required to support product development and project delivery.
• Manage artwork from brief through to approval, including adaptations across customers and international markets.
• Coordinate customer, regulatory and compliance requirements to ensure artwork and products meet market requirements.
• Create and maintain product specifications, Bill of Materials and supporting technical documentation.
• Support packaging development, factory trials, travel tests and first production runs.
• Identify project risks and delays, following through on actions to keep projects on track.

Education and Required Knowledge:

• Degree or Diploma in Food Technology, Food Science or Consumer Science.
• 2 – 5 years’ experience in product development within the FMCG or food manufacturing industry.
• Experience with grocery products, sauces, condiments or other food categories will be advantageous.
• Project management experience will be advantageous.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel and strong communication skills.

Personal Characteristics:

We're looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised with strong planning and prioritisation skills
• An excellent communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
• Solutions orientated with strong problem-solving skills
• Resilient and adaptable
• Commercially minded
• Able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable working across different teams, suppliers and business units
• Presentable
• Quick thinking & dynamic

If you have not received a response within two weeks of application, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

To consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), provides that when one processes another’s personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person’s personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

To give effect to the above, we are required to provide you with information regarding the processing of your personal information. This information is recorded under the HR Processing Notice, which can be accessed and viewed on the Company website at https://www.libstar.co.za/legal/. Printed copies of this Processing Notice can also be accessed from the HR department. We kindly request that you read the HR Processing Notice to ensure that you understand how Libstar uses and processes your personal information.