Product Developer – Beverages at Pick n Pay

To drive the development of new and innovative products for Pick n Pay end to end offering, as well as improve the innovation in the category that will drive the sales, increase market share thus positioning the company as the leader in the industry.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and effectively implement the Innovation Agenda for the product area by identifying suitable products for new and improved offers to ensure outstanding product deliverables.
• Make recommendations for new and improved packaging specification to ensure reduction of costs and improved functionality.
• Ensure that each new product and process undergoes a comprehensive and documented evaluation.
• Use outside influences and/or centres of excellence to help drive innovation agenda
• Monitor the performance of new and improved products to take the appropriate action for non-performers and evaluate the contribution to improved customer satisfaction as well as the increased profitability of the range.
• Monitor and provide evidence of contribution to improved customer satisfaction and increased profitability of products.

• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers; demonstrates confidence and expertise when interacting with suppliers.
• Work with suppliers according to company values; makes non-purchasing commitments to suppliers based on business goals, and follows through on these commitments.
• Encourage commitment and support from the supplier community and reinforces the importance of Pick n Pay’s values, buying strategies, and corporate initiatives.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers to mutually share financial and other performance criteria; uses metrics to identify performance gaps and hold suppliers accountable for achieving financial and other mutually agreed goals; develops and implements contingency plans to close performance gaps.
• Present his/her point of view in a way that builds team members’ support, using logical arguments; challenge inefficient/ ineffective work processes and offers constructive alternatives.
• Analyse work errors, successes and failures in order to sets learning strategies to rectify and increase knowledge; recognise gaps in own skill set, seeks and takes advantage of learning opportunities by applying new learnt skills on the job to enhance effectiveness

Competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Controls Quality & Standards
• Customer Orientation/Passion for Customer
• Influencing and Innovative
• Attention to Detail
• Team Orientation
• Strong Communication Skills
• Judgement
• Commercial and Financial Acumen
• Building relationships and collaborative networking

Requirements

• Relevant Degree/Diploma in Consumer Science/Food Science/Product Development
• 4 – 7 years product development experience
• Experience in product development in the relevant category is essential
• Knowledge of Retail Merchandise principles and proven track record of identifying and launching new categories and repositioning established ranges within specific categories