New Product Developer (FMCG/Non-Foods)

Dis-Chem; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 450 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail pharmacy chain in Midrand seeks a Product Developer to innovate and enhance product offerings. Candidates must have a degree in Food Science or related fields and 3-5 years in product development within the retail sector. Responsibilities include developing new products, monitoring market trends, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The role offers a market-related salary, medical aid, and other benefits.

Benefits

Market related salary

Medical aid

Provident fund

Staff account

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 - 5 years’ experience in product development in a retail industry.
• Honours or Postgraduate qualification is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products to assist in building relationships with underserved markets.
• Deliver product development projects on time and within budget.
• Monitor market trends for new product opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and internal quality standards.
• Prepare monthly NPD progress reports for management.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Business writing skills

Sound knowledge of Intercoms 2020

Cognitive Skills & enthusiasm

Communication skills

Quality orientation

Education

BSc Food Science, Biochemistry or similar field

BCom in Product management/development/procurement

Grade 12 – Matric or a Senior Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 – Matric or a Senior Certificate
• Degree in BSc Food Science, Biochemistry or similar field or BCom in Product management /development/ procurement or relevant qualification
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years’ experience in product development in a retail industry

Advantage

• Honours or Post graduate qualification

Job Specification

Develop Product Strategy

• Develop new products and services intended to assist the group in building relationships with under serviced markets.
• Deliver product development projects on specification on time, of a high quality and at target cost in collaboration with all relevant departments.
• Monitor market trends and information to identify potential areas for the development of new products and the restructuring of existing products.
• Keep abreast of market trends, product positioning, successes, and competition and recommend appropriate actions for the group based on analysis.
• Assess customer needs and requirements for defined segments and target accordingly.
• Propose practical solutions based on research and background knowledge of the latest developments in the fields of Health, Beauty and FMCG markets.
• Monitor development process and ensure compliance to schedule.

New Product Development

• Benchmarking against competitors to stay relevant and competitive in the market.
• Conduct formula research, development, and validation.
• Run regulatory checks and approvals.
• Source new suppliers/manufacturers that comply with our GMP, ESG and EPR requirements.
• Completion of product briefs and tendering to house brand manufacturers for cost assessment.
• Quote evaluation, negotiation (where applicable), and approvals.
• Perform product trials and sampling (where applicable).
• Label compilation and briefing to designers.
• Label design reviews, revisions, and sign-offs (both internally and with suppliers).
• Print proof review and sign-off before printing.
• Listing new article on the portal.
• Request renders/pack shots from designers for online.

Product Enhancement & Performance

• Deliver improvements to existing products/packaging, by optimisation of available material usage and cost saving initiatives.
• Take new and modified products from concept to implementation across all lines of business for the target market.
• Ensure product compliance of product development in terms of product requirements, specifications, production timetables and pricing.
• Maintain a strong focus on Private Label (PL), exclusive and In-House brands development.
• Report on Return On Investment bi-annually.
• Monitor and measure new and enhanced products throughout the development pipeline.
• Produce financial analyses and projections for all products in order to derive profitable decisions based on Return On Investment and total project costs.

Product Compliance

• Ensure house brands remain compliant in line with applicable legislation and Dis-Chem’s internal quality standard operating procedures through a risk-based approach (this includes ESG and EPR requirements).
• Ensure packaging and formulas comply with regulations.
• Conduct manufacturer site visits and ensure that all current manufacturers/suppliers comply with our minimum GMP requirements. Feeback from supplier visits to be documents and shared with TC manager and category manager/buyer.
• Audit potential new manufacturers for house brands before awarding new business to ensure they comply with our standards.
• Communicate regulatory developments or changes to category managers promptly.
• Maintain regulatory developments included in the Technical Compliance monthly report.
• Ensure that all product labels are signed off by the Technical Compliance officer prior to print.
• Conduct regulatory compliance checks and sign-offs of advertisements.
• Provide Technical/Regulatory support for new product listings.

Online Content

• Drive design of renders and maintain a complete repository of all renders.
• Provide renders and content (ingredients, directions for use, etc.) to the relevant team/department that is required for each online product.
• Ensure that old renders are updated on the Dis-Chem online store as new artwork gets phased in, as well as content updates (where applicable).
• Ensure that new product launches are briefed to the Dis-Chem online store to be added onto the store once the product is available for sale.

Reporting & Deliverables

• Bi - monthly NPD meetings with category buyers.
• Prepare monthly NPD progress evaluations with the category managers/executives.
• Prepare monthly NPD progress reports sent to respective Managers/Executives via the Technical monthly update report.
• Conduct NPD weekly meetings with Technical Manager.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Forge positive working relationships with key external partners and stakeholders (suppliers, packagers and manufacturers).
• Discuss and develop future opportunities with new and existing business partners as appropriate.
• Negotiate with product providers around pricing structures and contractual terms.
• Reach specified targets agreed upon with investors.
• Liaise with foreign vendors.

Content for Marketing Material & Sales Enablement Tools

• Compile product fact sheets for selected house brand.
• Assist with write-ups where required (e.g. Broadsheets, Living Fit Magazine, etc.)

Competencies

Essential

• Sound knowledge of Intercoms 2020
• Understanding of regulatory requirements
• Keep abreast of updated government gazettes and regulatory bodies Review and understand regulatory labelling requirements
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other relevant software
• Cognitive Skills & enthusiasm
• Business Orientated and Business writing skills
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Quality orientation

Special Conditions of Employment

• South African citizen
• MIE, clear criminal and credit
• Driver’s license and own reliable transport
• Occasional travelling

Remuneration & Benefits

• Market related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.