Product Development Manager

Reports To: CEO / COO

Purpose of the Role

The Product Development Manager will be responsible for driving the organisation’s 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 organisation’s E
    
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