Product Development Manager

About the role

• This position requires a detailed understanding of the development process and advanced knowledge of technologies to contribute to project objectives and outcomes.
• The Product Development Manager executes the Customer Product Development & Product Expert function within Australia and New Zealand. The Product Development Manager acts as the face to the customer by advising customers on application and choice of the right product suitable for their setup and also faces the factory as the technical lead (Product Expert) for the respective projects which he/she leads.  This position also needs to provide technical support and organize training courses on the full product range and application for existing and new customers with support from other teams as required. The role will receive guidance and support from the Head of R&D – ANZ in the execution of the role’s duties.

Key responsibilities include

• Customer Product Development;
  • Ensure the maintenance of a good overview of projects for the accounts & also customer capabilities, product portfolio, future projects and launches.
  • Acts as the face to the customer by advising customers in application and choice of the right product range, suitable to the installation and physical environment of the customer’s needs.
  • Work closely with and advise Sales and Marketing linked to specific product or application needs suitable to the brand’s operational footprint and align on product presentations.
  • Provide technical support to existing and new customers, and create new market opportunities.
  • Assure development of internal and external clients’ relations and maintain communication.
  • Present findings such as customer needs and views internally to achieve shared goals.
  • Ensure that a long-term application service is maintained and reviewed with all customers. Take the lead in organizing/running trainings, assigning the right people and involving other R&D functions where necessary – for customers and potentially internal staff as well.
• Product Expert related;
  • Functional Activities - Product Expert related
  • Request internal and external sensory tests with QA, e.g. Perform Panel Tests
  • Support Process Engineer during Industrial trials when required
  • Assess the request from a technical Point of View, e.g. Discuss the Feasibility of a project with operations, production, QA, or Technical Advisor
  • Identify, inform and organize project members and stakeholders, e.g. Establish a team for innovation or large projects, organize team meetings
  • Collaborate with Subcontractors for NPI at their Facilities
  • Support OSCO in defining the business cases for investment, analyzing and getting approval
  • Assess and approve usability of existing raw material, label and packaging.
  • Obtain insight into existing production possibilities, e.g. Ask approval from planning for big volume projects
  • Analyze customer or competitor Sample
  • Define primary, secondary and tertiary packaging requirements, define the layout and provisional content of the label, and request new packaging information/specs from the supplier
• Travel requirements: travel throughout Australia and to SEA and NZ & Pacific Islands from time to time

About you

• Bachelor /Master Degree in Food Science / Food Technology preferred
• Demonstrated experience in the Food Industry
• Knowledge of the chocolate industry is preferred
• Demonstrated capability in project management
• Outstanding presentation skills
• Experience in Sales or customer interaction
• Good knowledge of working tools (MS Office, Google Suite, Salesforce, SAP)
• Fluent Business English
• Foundation knowledge and qualification as a professional food scientist/food technologist
• Demonstrated experience in professional, commercial product development in a multinational FMCG company;
• Demonstrated experience in the Australian and/or New Zealand markets, or similar highly regulated environments;
• Commercial influencing skills (presenting, discussing, negotiating).
• Well-developed stakeholder management and communication skills, including in the communication of technical subject matter to a non-technical audience
• Analytical mindset with an eagerness to learn and take ownership.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a complex, fast-paced environment with evolving customer requirements;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and passion to deliver quality outcomes

• Consumer and customer-oriented mentality

• Demonstrated Project Management skills

• Create a solution-driven and problem-solving attitude

• Hands-on mentality and determined to always deliver against objectives

• Being open to and adapting quickly to new sales and marketing approaches

• Compliant with regulations across multiple jurisdictions and corporate standards