Senior Product Developer

Main PurposeWHAT:As a Product Developer, you will champion our customer centric product strategy within our Food Service brand. Your key focus will be to develop and deliver innovative commercially viable product solutions that are anchored in quality and sustainability that will influence the way our nation eats.HOW: You will lead and inspire teams and collaborate with key stakeholders to influence, guide and steer the execution of a customer centric product strategy.Key OutcomesInfluence strategic product direction and implement and apply into category development plans.Understand and give input to the strategy, adapt or translate it to your category and create actionable plans with clear goals and measures.Champion the strategy with demonstrated ability to distil and land it with teams and suppliers.Ability to aggregate and report on progress along the journey of implementing strategy.Be on the forefront of the science and art of product within the Food Services Industry, identifying gaps & opportunities: product, service & experience trends, customer, technology, and process. Take the teams on this journey.Drive and uphold a world-class sustainable product and packaging standard and framework. Be a creative problem solver with the ability to influence and leverage the various support systems in service of delivering exceptional quality products that are scalable, sustainable and meet the value proposition standards.Set, uphold and translate product, design, and packaging standards into success criteria.Set and adhere to clear quality standards in product briefs and ensure consistent execution.Drive timeous launches through an achievable critical path and timelines by setting clear goals and objectives that include and integrate the team.Support, mentor, and collaborate with teams and key stakeholders Collaborate with the teams and stakeholders to come up with concise and achievable operational plans that are in line with strategy.Partner with and build supplier relationshipsInfluence, set and drive product development processes and supporting systems. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how delicious products are developed from conception to launch, execution and consistency of production processes.Ability to create and manage critical paths collaboratively and timeously with all relevant stakeholders.Brief & align product and packaging design to best position the product to meet customer need states, transport standards, service and experience. Effectively utilise systems and technical resources to optimise project management, engagement and alignment with key stakeholders and maintaining quality standards.QualificationsRelevant Degree/ Diploma/ Qualification in Food and Consumer Science, Chef, Restaurant Industry management & operations.Experience3 years Minimum experience in the food industry or relevant Foodservice industry experience.Minimum 3 years’ experience in Food product development within hospitality essential.Experience of working cross functionally or within a matrix organization.Network of Food supplier relations – Local/ InternationalAdditional CriteriaStrong project management and leadership skills would advantageous.MDP course or equivalent would be beneficial. If you are interested in the above position please send your CV to ericmaqwele@woolworths.co.za