Senior Product Development Manager - Beverages

Placements24; Cape Town; Vor Ort; ZAR 1.200.000 - 1.800.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Competitive remuneration

Medical & retirement benefits

Generous paid time off

Professional growth opportunities

Cape Town R&D center

Zusammenfassung

Placements24 in Cape Town, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Product Development Manager to lead ideation, formulation, and commercialization of beverage products.

You will collaborate with Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, QA, and Regulatory teams to ensure launches meet consumer needs and quality standards; mentor junior scientists.

Role based at the Cape Town facility, offering a hands-on opportunity to shape product strategy from concept to shelf.

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in food science/technology/chemistry or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in product development within FMCG beverages.
• Proven expertise in beverage formulation, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.

Aufgaben

• Lead end-to-end product development from concept to commercial launch.
• Benchtop formulation, pilot plant trials, and scale-up activities.
• Collaborate with Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, QA, and Regulatory teams.

Kenntnisse

Beverage formulation

Ingredient functionality

Processing technologies

Project management

Communication skills

Ausbildung

Master's or PhD in Food Science/Technology/Chemistry

Tools

Formulation databases

LIMS

Statistical software

Jobbeschreibung

About the Role Our client, a dynamic and innovative leader in the **FMCG** sector, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Product Development Manager to join their vibrant team in **Cape Town, Western Cape**. This role is critical to the sustained growth and innovation pipeline of the company's beverage division. The Senior Product Development Manager will lead the ideation, formulation, and commercialization of new and improved beverage products, ensuring they meet consumer needs, market trends, and company quality standards. The position requires a deep scientific understanding of food technology, formulation science, and manufacturing processes within the **FMCG** beverage industry. Based in our **Cape Town** facility, this role offers a hands-on opportunity to influence product strategy and drive product success from concept to shelf.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for new and existing beverage products, from concept generation to commercial launch.
• Conduct benchtop formulation, pilot plant trials, and scale-up activities for new product development.
• Develop innovative and cost-effective product formulations that align with market trends, consumer preferences, and nutritional guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs teams to ensure successful product development and launch.
• Identify and evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processing techniques to enhance product quality and performance.
• Manage sensory evaluation panels and interpret results to guide product optimization.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and internal specifications.
• Prepare technical documentation, including product specifications, manufacturing instructions, and trial reports.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging technologies in the beverage **FMCG** market.
• Mentor and guide junior R&D scientists and technicians within the product development team.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in product development, specifically within the **FMCG** beverage industry.
• Proven expertise in beverage formulation, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
• Strong understanding of food safety, quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000), and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with shelf-life studies, sensory analysis, and statistical methods for experimental design.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
• Proficiency in relevant software, including formulation databases and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Must be able to work effectively in a laboratory and pilot plant environment.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package, including performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, continuing education, and industry engagement.
• A highly collaborative and innovation-focused work environment at our **Cape Town** R&D center.
• The chance to shape the future of popular beverage brands in the **FMCG** market.