Senior Product Developer (Centurion)

RCL Foods; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer is seeking a Senior Product Developer to coordinate new food product development from concept to launch based in Centurion. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years in Culinary Arts and at least 2 years of product development experience, especially with Chilled Cakes and Desserts. Responsibilities include market analysis, product formulation, and liaison with suppliers. This position demands strong communication skills, project management experience, and an aptitude for innovative culinary trends.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a Product Developer within the Speciality team.
• Experience in Chilled Cakes & Desserts (CCD) and project management.
• A valid driving license is required.

Responsibilities

• Identify market niches for new product development.
• Conduct taste panels for proposed new products.
• Liaise with suppliers on new ingredients.

Skills

Food product knowledge

Market analysis

Recipe formulation

Project management

Communication

Education

Minimum 3-year Qualification in Culinary Arts

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Job title : Senior Product Developer (Centurion)

Job Location : Gauteng, Centurion

Deadline : December 19, 2025

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Job Description

• RCL FOODS is seeking to employ a Senior Product Developer. The role will be based in Centurion and will report into the Product Development Manager.

A Senior Product Developer will act as a coordinator of all new food product development activities from concept stage to launch as follows :

• Identify possible new products. This involves brainstorming ideas, discussing the product’s requirements, and determining market and overall feasibility for a particular product concept.
• Keep their ‘ears on the ground’ and speak with people, read magazines, read food blogs and watch food shows, all in an effort to understand which food products people enjoy, and where market gaps are.
• Discover who’s going to buy the product and ways to make it unique. Use surveys and other research tools to focus the product concept and target goals, such as what market gap it will fill.
• Define the key elements of the new food product, such as the format, size, taste, colour, texture and consistency.
• Develop the new food product, including the recipe, sourcing of ingredients, shelf life, packaging & manufacturing processes. Developing a new food product involves assembling and presenting samples of the product to an external customer.
• Construct and manage all own trial CPA’s.
• Manage Kitchen Assistant work schedules and project allocations.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 3-year Qualification in Culinary Arts / Qualified Chef.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a PD within the Speciality team unless prior experience externally warrants seniority.
• Minimum of 2 years culinary experience within an established food manufacturing group.
• Experience in Chilled Cakes & Desserts (CCD) and project management. Must have Woolworths experience.
• Numerical and verbal aptitude, strong communicator.
• Intermediate computer skills (especially Excel and Word).
• A valid driving license.

Knowledge and Skills

• In-depth knowledge of food, ingredients and global cuisines.
• An understanding of the science of food (food chemistry and nutrition).
• Understand mass production techniques and machinery as well as the specific qualities and shelf-life of different ingredients as well as costings & technical issues.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research & Market Analysis

• Identify market niches and opportunities into which existing products could be adapted and new products developed.
• Continuously research food trend to stay ahead of consumer trends.
• Evaluate the success of new products in their markets.
• Do a Product Trend analysis presentation once a quarter.

Development

• Formulation of new recipes and improvement of existing recipes and packaging.
• Recommend new products and work with the NPD team to transform food concepts into viable products. This involves brainstorming ideas, discussing the product’s requirements, and determining market and overall feasibility for a particular product concept.
• Conduct taste panels for proposed new products and document results.
• Prepare reports and recommendations based on new food product trials.
• Coordinate shelf-life studies with the NPD Process Technologist.
• Ensure that potential new products can be manufactured profitability.

Service Management

• Liaise with suppliers to ensure that RCL FOODS is aware of new ingredients coming on to the market.
• Present new products to customers.

KPI’s

• Achievement of SIA targets.
• Rate of new product development.
• Efficacy of the product transition from kitchen to factory and launch.
• Customer satisfaction & relationship.
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