Reporting to: Product Development Manager

Location: White River, Mpumalanga

The purpose of this position is to assist and support the management and execution of product development projects, ensuring successful and timely launches. The role contributes to the innovation pipeline through new product and range development, market research, and accurate project documentation, while maintaining compliance with legal and customer requirements.

Key Performance Areas:

• Support the development and execution of new product concepts and trials with a strong focus on cost and time efficiency.
• Identify and understand global and local food trends to inform innovation strategies.
• Contribute to range reviews, gap analyses, and market research activities.
• Assist in reviewing product quality and standards, including benchmarking and comparative shopping.
• Support legal and customer compliance processes for new products.
• Accurately capture, collate, and store all project-related data and documentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in managing the critical path from concept approval to final product launch, ensuring deadlines and milestones are met.
• Coordinate and support range reviews and innovation gap analysis.
• Facilitate effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders to align project timelines and expectations.
• Conduct competitor analysis and benchmarking to inform development.
• Monitor and help maintain product quality and specifications.
• Participate in post-implementation reviews and feedback processes.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with suppliers and customers.

Knowledge & Deliverables:

• Timely and successful product launches aligned to fiscal goals and strategic plans
• Detailed and accurate information management throughout the project lifecycle
• Compliance with food legislation and customer-specific requirements
• Contribution to the achievement of annual new product launch targets
• Clear understanding of cost structures and basic sales forecasting

Education & Qualifications:

• Diploma or Degree in Food Preparation, Marketing, or Consumer Science
• BSc or BSc Hons in Food Science or Consumer Science (advantageous)

Skills & Experience:

• 3-5 years’ experience in the food industry, preferably in product development
• Experience in developing bars, granolas, or spreads is preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., MS Navision, SAP) is advantageous
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Excellent English communication and presentation abilities
• Basic understanding of global food markets, sales, and costing
• Familiarity with food labeling legislation and technical processes is a plus
• Understanding of customer segmentation and shopper behavior

Attitude & Competencies:

• Thinking and innovation: Able to approach challenges creatively and seek new solutions
• Taking initiative: Self-driven and proactive in anticipating needs and acting independently
• Adapting to change: Flexible and resilient in a dynamic environment
• Quality delivery: Commitment to high standards and attention to detail in all outputs
• Teamwork and interpersonal relations: Able to build strong collaborative relationships, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to team success
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong interpersonal skills with assertive and professional communication
• Self-motivated and resilient with a strong sense of responsibility
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Application:

Should you be interested in this position, please submit your clearly marked application to the Human Resources Department at recruitment@nutco.co.za . Please attach a copy of your CV, ID and all relevant qualifications to your application.
Closing date: 19 August 2025. Should you not receive feedback from us within five days of the closing date, please accept your application as unsuccessful.

Note: Preference will be given to EE candidates in line with the Company’s employment equity plan and BBBEE strategy. In order to consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), provides that when one processes another’s personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person’s personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

To give effect to the above, we are required to provide you with information regarding the processing of your personal information. This information is recorded under the HR Processing Notice, which can be accessed and viewed on the Company website at  https://www.libstar.co.za/legal/. Printed copies of this Processing Notice can also be accessed from the HR department. We kindly request that you read the HR Processing Notice to ensure that you understand how Libstar uses and processes your personal information.