New Product Developer

A New Product Developer drives development of new and improved private label and exclusive products, ensuring delivery of innovative, compliant, and commercially viable products.

Minimum Requirements

Essential

• Matric or equivalent senior certificate and a Degree or diploma in BSc Food Science, Biochemistry or similar field. Or BCom in Product Management/ development / procurement or related qualification.
• 2-5 years’ experience in product development in retail industry, commercial, technical compliance, quality assurance or regulatory roles.

Responsibilities

New Product Development

• Develop new products aligned to category strategy and customer needs.
• Manage product development lifecycle including product briefs, formulation, supplier confirmation, quote evaluation, sampling, testing, label compilation and brief to designers, reviews& sign off, and launch.
• New article listing with all master data, features and Benefits, images and digital data.
• Ensure products meet cost, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement of existing products and packaging.
• Maintain a strong focus on Private Label, exclusive and In-House brands development.
• Conduct manufacturer site visits ensuring all manufacturers/suppliers comply with Dis-Chem minimum requirements. Feeback from supplier visits to be documents and shared with NPD manager and category management/buyer.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with Category, Buying, Marketing, Private label and Compliance teams.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with key external partners and stakeholders (e.g. suppliers, packagers, manufacturers) for product development and sourcing.

Governance and risk

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards across all products.
• Monitor product performance and customer feedback. Review, investigate, and resolve customer complaints and queries related to scientific, technical, regulatory, and quality matters In a timely and professional manner.
• Achieve monthly reporting deliverables.

Key Competencies

• Product development and innovation capability.
• Strong understanding of Private Label, Health& Medical, Food, Personal Care& Beauty and Baby& General Merchandise markets.
• Analytical and commercial thinking.
• Supplier and stakeholder management

Key Performance Indicators

• Product development timelines.
• Product success and performance.
• Compliance and quality adherence.
• Cost and margin targets