Kempton Park: Product Development Manager posted by 3L Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Reports To: CEO / COO

Purpose of the Role

The Product Development Manager will be responsible for driving the organisations tissue product portfolio and overseeing the full lifecycle of product development from concept and design through to commercialization and market launch.

The role requires a combination of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and innovation capability to ensure products meet performance, quality, cost-efficiency, and market requirements. The successful incumbent will work closely with manufacturing, procurement, marketing, and external suppliers to develop and optimise products that support business growth and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Development & Innovation
  • Lead the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) process, including concept generation, product design, prototyping, testing, and commercial launch.
  • Conduct market research and consumer trend analysis to identify opportunities for product innovation and differentiation.
  • Manage product testing processes including sensory testing such as softness and absorbency.
  • Ensure new products are successfully transitioned from development into pilot production and full-scale manufacturing.
• Product Design & Optimisation
  • Optimise product design attributes including fibre composition, ply structure, embossing patterns, perforations, and packaging solutions.
  • Improve product functionality, durability, consumer experience, and shelf appeal.
  • Apply data-driven analysis to enhance product performance, sustainability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Cost Management & Value Engineering
  • Conduct detailed cost analysis and value engineering initiatives to optimise production costs while maintaining product quality.
  • Identify opportunities for raw material optimisation, energy efficiency improvements, and waste reduction.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
  • Support SHEQ teams in implementing and maintaining quality control standards and testing protocols.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant SABS standards, ISO 9001 requirements, FSC certification, and hygiene regulations.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to drive continuous improvement.
• Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility
  • Drive sustainability initiatives including eco-friendly product innovations, biodegradable materials, and reduced plastic packaging.
  • Contribute to environmental performance tracking aligned to the organisations ESG objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with manufacturing, procurement, marketing, and supplier partners to ensure alignment on product development projects.
  • Facilitate project meetings and workshops to drive progress across departments.
  • Provide updates and presentations to senior leadership on project progress and outcomes.
• Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis
  • Monitor competitor products, emerging technologies, and consumer trends.
  • Identify opportunities for product differentiation and market growth.
• Budget & Resource Management
  • Manage product development project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
  • Conduct risk assessments and ensure projects are delivered efficiently and within approved budgets.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Paper Science / Technology, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Postgraduate qualification such as MSc, MBA, or Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology would be advantageous.
• Project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile would be advantageous.
• 10 15 years experience in product development, R&D, or technical roles within FMCG manufacturing.
• Experience in tissue, paper, or hygiene product manufacturing environments would be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated success managing New Product Development projects from concept through to commercialization.
• Experience with cost modelling, product costing, or management accounting principles would be beneficial.
• Exposure to ERP systems and advanced Excel modelling for product costing and analysis.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Strong technical knowledge of tissue converting processes and paper product manufacturing.
• Understanding of pulp and paper chemistry, material properties, and manufacturing equipment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Strong organisational and project management capability.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies would be advantageous.
• Awareness of global trends in tissue and hygiene product innovation.

Personal Attributes

• Innovative and forward-thinking mindset.
• Strong commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong stakeholder engagement capability.

Other Requirements

• South African citizen or valid work permit holder.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, the Johannesburg / Gauteng area.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to production sites or supplier facilities.