Product Developer (Bakery and Desserts)

Join Shoprite Group as a Product Developer specialising in Bakery and Desserts, based in Cape Town, Western Cape. This full-time role requires expertise in fresh food product development, focusing on recipe innovation, factory trials, product specification, costing, and packaging within FMCG manufacturing environments. Candidates should possess strong culinary or food science qualifications and at least two years' experience in developing and launching quality fresh food products. Key skills include managing cross-functional collaboration, conducting market and competitor research, cost negotiation, quality assurance adherence, and driving operational efficiency. This position reports to the Fresh Foods Product Development Manager and demands an innovative mindset, commercial acumen, and excellent interpersonal communication to deliver competitive, consumer-focused product ranges aligned with brand values and quality standards. Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced setting with a market leader committed to continuous product innovation and sustainable supplier partnerships.

Job Objectives

Engage actively in delivering innovative Fresh Foods products, ensuring they drive innovation, enhance core growth, maintain consistent high quality, provide value for money, and ultimately surpass our customers' expectations. Ensure alignment with the overarching product development process within Fresh Foods, ensuring that product ranges are developed in accordance with agreed-upon product direction while adhering to brand values. Take charge of and support the product development process across all aspects, including recipe development, conducting factory trials (which requires traveling), drafting specifications and costing, packaging, negotiating costs with buyers, and product launches. Conduct continuous product, consumer, and competitor research, providing input and implementing various supplier strategies, including reformulating existing products for enhancement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in commercial, technology, and planning to launch competitive and profitable ranges. Provide essential inputs for packaging development requirements, collaborating with the Packaging and Marketing Department on concepts, packaging, and the new product development process. Collaborate with the technical team to establish and continuously enhance quality standards and technical product specifications through local and international benchmarking to ensure compliance. Foster and enhance the relationship with the production team to uphold quality standards, internal systems, process flows, and traceability from raw product receipt through production to finished goods. Cultivate sustainable, mutually beneficial long-term relationships with suppliers to acquire the best products and inputs. Interface with the Quality Assurance Department regarding GMP, HACCP, ISO standards, specifications, customer complaints, and other quality matters. Offer ongoing factory support to address any product-related technical challenges and improve production processes.

Qualifications

Qualification at a Culinary School (preferred) or BSc - Consumer/Food Science or BTech - Food Technology and/or other relevant Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics and Culinary related or equivalent

Experience

Minimum 3 years experience in a similar role (Product Development / Production / Technical Specification) Development experience within the mentioned categories. 2-3 years Product Development in a foods FMCG manufacturing / production environment - preferably in fresh foods. 1-2 years exposure to developing food products from inception, through production to the launching stage, improving new and existing products (highly advantageous) Computer Literacy - Gmail, Google sheets, Google Docs, Google Slides (preferred)

Knowledge and Skills

Key competencies and work ethic: Self-motivated and driven with strong integrity - take accountability for actions and mistakes. Inspirational teamwork – a positive team member who serves the team and shows an appreciation for team morale and a healthy happy culture. Amazing product flair - creating and managing Fresh Food products (user stories, acceptance criteria etc) Understanding of food and the production process - a foodie - passionate about the production process including new products and refinement opportunities Strong relationships - including interpersonal skills and EQ. Display a strong team spirit. Ensure that all individuals, team members, and stakeholders feel valued, motivated and equipped to deliver, develop and build a meaningful career in the team. Commercial and financial acumen – basic understanding of the role this plays in the process Collaborative partnering – build relationships both internally and externally. Open, honest and direct, is comfortable in giving and receiving constructive feedback. Think and act independently as well as collaboratively. Operational efficiency – Diligently staying on top of the details and understanding how they fit into the big picture. Process driven and methodical. Time management - ability to prioritise a high volume of activities simultaneously in a fast-paced unpredictable environment. Identify the urgent & important tasks and priorities to ensure delivery. Innovative and solution-orientated – thinks outside of the box. Sound judgment, quick decision-making and the ability to generate both short and long term solutions that serve the flow of work and meeting deadlines. Exceptional communication - approachable, adopt a range of influencing and negotiation styles to facilitate and deal with various scenarios internally and externally