FMCG Product Development Manager

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Health insurance and retirement plan

Career development and training

Generous paid time off

Relocation assistance may be available

Creative and collaborative work enviro

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking an innovative FMCG Product Development Manager to lead the full product lifecycle from concept to launch. You will identify opportunities, drive formulation and testing, and align with R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain to deliver market-ready innovations.

The ideal candidate has a strong scientific or technical background with commercial acumen, 5–7 years in FMCG product development, and a proven track record of launching successful

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific/technical or related field.
• Master’s degree is a plus.
• 5–7 years of FMCG product development experience.
• Proven track record of launching products to market.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in food/beverage/consumer goods sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead ideation, development, and commercialization of new FMCG products.
• Conduct market research and consumer trend analysis to identify opportunities.
• Oversee product formulation, testing, and quality assurance processes.
• Collaborate with R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain for launches.
• Manage development projects, timelines, and budgets.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and quality standards.
• Develop product specifications, user manuals, and marketing collateral.
• Monitor performance of existing products and propose improvements.

Skills

Product development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Marketing, or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading name in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking an innovative and experienced FMCG Product Development Manager to join their dynamic team in George, Western Cape . This role is central to driving product innovation and managing the entire product lifecycle from concept to launch. You will be responsible for identifying new product opportunities, leading product formulation and testing, and ensuring that new products meet consumer needs and market demands. The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific or technical background combined with commercial acumen and a passion for creating exciting new FMCG products. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of a well-established brand within the beautiful Western Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, development, and commercialization of new FMCG products.
• Conduct market research and consumer trend analysis to identify new product opportunities.
• Oversee product formulation, testing, and quality assurance processes.
• Collaborate with R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Manage product development projects, timelines, and budgets effectively.
• Ensure new products comply with all regulatory requirements and quality standards.
• Develop product specifications, user manuals, and marketing collateral.
• Monitor the performance of existing products and identify areas for improvement or reformulation.
• Stay updated on the latest industry innovations and technologies in product development.
• Work closely with local suppliers and manufacturers in the George area.

Requirements

• - Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
• - A Master's degree is a plus.
• - Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in product development, preferably within the FMCG industry.
• - Proven track record of successfully launching new products into the market.
• - Strong understanding of product development processes, including formulation, testing, and scale-up.
• - Excellent project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• - Strong communication, collaboration, and presentation abilities.
• - Familiarity with regulatory compliance in the food and beverage or consumer goods sectors.
• - Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• - Knowledge of the Western Cape consumer market and production landscape is beneficial.

Benefits

• - Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity.
• - Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• - Opportunities for further professional development and training.
• - Generous paid time off and employee wellness programs.
• - Relocation assistance may be available.
• - A creative and collaborative work environment.
• - The chance to work on innovative and market-leading products.