FMCG Product Development Lead - Hybrid (Polokwane)

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary & bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund benefits

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Manager in Polokwane, Limpopo to lead the full product lifecycle from ideation to commercialization. The role emphasizes market-driven innovation, cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Marketing, Sales and Manufacturing, and strong project management.

A hybrid work setup is offered to balance on-site product work with flexible arrangements. The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in FMCG product development or R&D, with a solid track record of bringing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressive product development/R&D experience in FMCG.
• Proven track record of launching FMCG products.
• Knowledge of formulation science and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Responsibilities

• Lead ideation, concept development and formulation of new FMCG products.
• Manage end-to-end product development: feasibility, prototyping, sensory eval, shelf-life testing.
• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Sales and Manufacturing for launches.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis for opportunities.
• Develop and manage timelines, budgets and resources.
• Oversee product quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare specifications, technical docs and marketing materials.
• Present concepts and launch plans to senior management.
• Stay updated on new technologies and ingredients in FMCG.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement within the team.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Market research

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Food Science

Masters preferred

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Manager in Polokwane, Limpopo to lead the full product lifecycle from ideation to commercialization. The role emphasizes market-driven innovation, cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Marketing, Sales and Manufacturing, and strong project management.

A hybrid work setup is offered to balance on-site product work with flexible arrangements. The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in FMCG product development or R&D, with a solid track record of bringing