New Product Development Specialist at natnudO Foods

Job Title: New Product Development Specialist

Job Summary

• The New Product DevelopmentSpecialist is responsible for leading the end-to-end process of developing and launching new meat and poultry products.
• This role involves conceptualizing, formulating, testing, and scaling innovative products while ensuring compliance with international food safety standards, particularly FSSC 22000. 
• The specialist will work closely with cross-functional teams, manage production costs, and ensure that all new products align with the company’s quality, efficiency, and market objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Innovation:

• Lead the development of new meat and poultry products from concept to commercialization, ensuring market readiness.
• Conduct market research, consumer insights analysis, and competitive benchmarking to identify gaps and opportunities for new product offerings.
• Develop and refine product formulations, ingredient specifications, and processing techniques for scalability and efficiency.
• Ensure product consistency, texture, flavour, and appearance meet industry and consumer expectations.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure all new products comply with international food safety management systems, particularly FSSC 22000 and other relevant regulations.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs to obtain necessary product approvals and certifications.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation for formulations, process flows, and compliance records.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Management:

• Work closely with marketing, sales, procurement, operations, and supply chain teams to align product development with business goals.
• Drive cost optimization strategies without compromising on product quality and food safety.
• Collaborate with suppliers and external partners for sourcing high-quality raw materials and ingredients.
• Develop and oversee industrial production processes, ensuring efficiency and scalability.
• Lead product trials, conduct sensory evaluations, and refine products based on feedback.

Process Optimization & Cost Control:

• Analyze and optimize production costs, raw material utilization, and waste reduction to improve profitability.
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements in production while maintaining product integrity.
• Develop strategic plans for large-scale manufacturing, ensuring consistent quality and process reliability.

Reporting & Documentation:

• Maintain detailed reports throughout the product development lifecycle, including R&D documentation, trial results, cost analysis, and launch plans.
• Prepare and present product development updates to senior management and key stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• Interested candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree / HND
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in new product development within the meat and poultry processing industry.
• Strong background in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), particularly in food processing and manufacturing.
• Proven track record of developing and launching new products for internationally recognized FMCG brands.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial-scale meat and poultry production, processing technologies, and ingredient functionality.
• Experience with international food safety standards and certification processes (FSSC 22000, HACCP, ISO 22000, etc.).
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Product Development Expertise
• Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
• Cost Control & Budget Management
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Project Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Attention to Detail & Quality Focus.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is 24th April, 2025. Therefore, Qualified and interested candidates should send their CV to: [email protected] using the job title as subject of the mail.