Product Development Manager - FMCG

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Career development

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, Eastern Cape, seeks a Product Development Manager to drive FMCG innovations from ideation to launch, collaborating with R&D, marketing, sales and operations to deliver market-leading products.

You will lead end-to-end development, conduct market insights, manage timelines and budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and stay ahead of industry trends. A strong track record in FMCG product launches and cross-functional leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Marketing or related field; Master’s degree advantageous.
• 5–7 years of experience in product development in FMCG.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products.
• Strong understanding of development processes, R&D, and QA.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development from concept to commercial launch.
• Conduct market research, consumer insights analysis and benchmarking.
• Collaborate with R&D to develop formulations and designs.
• Develop product briefs and specifications aligned with market needs.
• Manage timelines, budgets and resources for timely delivery.
• Coordinate with marketing on positioning, messaging and launch strategies.
• Work with manufacturing and supply chain for scale‑up and production.
• Conduct product testing and gather consumer feedback for improvements.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and quality standards.
• Stay updated on FMCG trends and consumer preferences.

Skills

End-to-end product development

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Market research

Data analysis

Education

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

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking a highly skilled and creative Product Development Manager to drive new product initiatives from their facilities in East London, Eastern Cape . This role is crucial for identifying market opportunities, conceptualizing new products, and managing the entire product development lifecycle from ideation to launch. You will collaborate closely with R&D, marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure the successful creation and commercialization of high-quality, market-leading products. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in product development within the FMCG industry, coupled with excellent project management and cross-functional leadership skills. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future product portfolio of a significant player in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process, from concept generation to commercial launch.
• Conduct market research, consumer insights analysis, and competitive benchmarking to identify new product opportunities.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to develop innovative and high-quality product formulations and designs.
• Develop product briefs and specifications, ensuring alignment with market needs and business objectives.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to ensure timely product delivery.
• Work closely with marketing to develop product positioning, messaging, and launch strategies.
• Liaise with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure smooth production and scale‑up.
• Conduct product testing and gather consumer feedback for continuous improvement.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with relevant regulations and quality standards.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and emerging consumer preferences in the FMCG space.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, or a related field. AMaster’sdegreeisadvantageous.
• Minimumof5-7yearsofexperienceinproductdevelopment,withasignificantfocusontheFMCGsector.
• Proventrackrecordofsuccessfullylaunchingnewproductsintothemarket.
• Strongunderstandingofproductdevelopmentprocesses,R&Dprinciples,andqualityassurance.
• Excellentprojectmanagement,leadership,andcommunicationskills.
• Abilitytoworkeffectivelywithcross‑functionalteamsandexternalpartners.
• Proficiencyindataanalysisandmarketresearchmethodologies.
• Creativethinkingandproblem‑solvingabilities.
• Knowledgeofregulatoryrequirementsinthefoodandbeverageorconsumergoodsindustry.
• FamiliaritywiththeEastLondon,EasternCapemarketandSouthAfricanconsumerpreferences.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensivemedicalandretirementbenefits.
• Opportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopmentandcareeradvancement.
• AdynamicandinnovativeworkenvironmentinEastLondon,EasternCape .
• OpportunitytoshapethefutureofleadingFMCGproducts.
• Potentialforhybridworkarrangements.
• Bepartofacompanycommittedtoinnovationandquality.