Product Development Manager - Water Treatment and Purification

SUMMARY:
Job Title: Product Development Manager 
Location: Gauteng, Eastern Suburbs
Industry: Water Treatment & Purification
Type:  Permanent / Environment: Product Development and Management

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Product Development Manager with deep knowledge of the water purification and treatment industry to own, develop, and evolve our product portfolio. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong technical grounding who can analyse existing product lines, identify growth opportunities, and drive new product development aligned with market demand and business objectives.
The successful candidate will bridge the gap between technical capability, commercial viability, and market needs, ensuring the product portfolio remains competitive, relevant, and scalable. Based in Kempton Park.

POSITION INFO:
What you'll be doing Product Portfolio Ownership : Take full ownership of existing water treatment and purification product lines Analyse product performance, margins, lifecycle stage, and market relevance Identify gaps, overlaps, and rationalisation opportunities within the portfolio Manage product lifecycle from concept through launch, optimisation, and phase-out Growth & Innovation: Identify new product opportunities based on market trends, customer needs, and competitive analysis Explore line extensions, product upgrades, and adjacent technologies to drive growth Develop business cases for new products, including pricing, margin, and volume projections Work closely with suppliers, manufacturers, and technology partners on new developments Technical & Market Alignment: Translate technical product capabilities into clear value propositions for the market Ensure products meet local regulations, standards, and performance expectations Collaborate with technical teams to validate product performance and suitability Support testing, trials, and validation of new and improved products Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the link between sales, technical, operations, and marketing teams Provide product training, documentation, and guidance to internal stakeholders Support go-to-market strategies, launches, and product positioning Assist sales teams with product selection, application guidance, and competitive differentiation What you'll need Relevant qualification in Engineering, Chemistry, Product management, or a related field Formal product management or innovation training Experience working with international suppliers or manufacturers 8-12+ years' experience in the water purification \/ water treatment industry Proven experience in product management, product development, or portfolio management Strong exposure to both technical and commercial aspects of water treatment products Product & Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of water treatment technologies including: Filtration and membrane technologies Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems Ion exchange and water softening Disinfection and dosing technologies Working knowledge of water chemistry and system application requirements Ability to assess product feasibility, scalability, and long-term viability Strategic and analytical mindset with strong commercial awareness Ability to identify growth opportunities and turn them into executable plans Strong stakeholder management and communication skills Detail-oriented with a structured approach to product development Comfortable making data-driven decisions in complex technical environments What is in it for you? A senior role with real influence over product direction and growth Opportunity to shape and expand a technically advanced product portfolio A collaborative environment that values innovation, accountability, and expertise Remuneration Package: Negotiable based on candidates knowledge and experience A Few Things to Know Strong understanding of water treatment technologies is required (Filtration, RO systems, Ion Exchange, water softening and disinfection technologies Ready to Apply? Click Apply and please complete your application in full. If you don't hear from us within 3 months, your application was not successful. However, we may contact you for other roles in the future (with your permission). Data Privacy Notice By applying, you consent to Elchemie processing your personal data for the purpose of job matching. Your data will be securely stored and shared only with trusted service providers and clients.