Product Development Manager - FMCG

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Medical and pension benefits

Training & development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Product Development Manager to lead creation and launch of new FMCG products in Nelspruit. You will drive innovation, ensuring market needs and commercial viability while collaborating with R&D, marketing and operations.

You will oversee end-to-end development, conduct market research, and work with cross-functional teams to bring concepts from ideation to market launch in Mpumalanga.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in product development, FMCG industry desirable.
• Strong project management, leadership, and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development from concept to market launch.
• Perform market research, consumer trend analysis and benchmarking.
• Collaborate with R&D to develop formulations, prototypes, and specifications.
• Define product positioning with marketing for Mpumalanga region.
• Manage timelines, budgets and cross-functional alignment for launches in Nelspruit.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Education

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

Master's degree preferred

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Product Development Manager to lead the creation and launch of new FMCG products in Nelspruit . This role is crucial for driving product innovation, ensuring that new products meet market demands, consumer needs, and are commercially viable. You will work closely with R&D, marketing, and operations teams to bring exciting new concepts from ideation through to successful market launch. This is a key leadership opportunity within a progressive FMCG company committed to delivering cutting-edge products to consumers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for new FMCG products, from concept generation to market launch.
• Conduct market research, consumer trend analysis, and competitive benchmarking to identify new product opportunities.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to develop product formulations, prototypes, and specifications that meet consumer needs and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with marketing teams to define product positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies for the Mpumalanga region .
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and cross-functional team alignment to ensure timely and successful product launches in Nelspruit .

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in product development, preferably within the FMCG industry .
• Proven track record of successfully launching innovative FMCG products.
• Strong understanding of consumer insights, market trends, and R&D processes.
• Excellent project management, leadership, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive executive salary and performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive medical aid, pension fund, and life insurance.
• Opportunities for international and local training and development.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate in Nelspruit .
• A collaborative and innovative work environment fostering creativity.