Product Development Manager: Poultry, Seafood And Dairy at Woolworths

Introduction

• As a Product Development Manager, you lead in a world-class food retailer. Supporting and driving an innovative, commercially viable, sustainable product strategy that meets the ever-changing needs of our customers and influences the way our nation eats. You will lead and inspire world class teams and collaborate with key stakeholders to influence, guide and steer the execution of a customer centric product strategy for the relevant category.

Job description

• Shape, articulate, influence and implement strategic product direction for category.
• Collaborate with teams and key stakeholders to ensure that the product directional framework supports the business strategy.
• Balance the integration of product leadership, product excellence, and commercial viability.
• Set a world-class sustainable product and packaging standard and framework.
• Establish, clearly define and communicate this world class product standard.
• Co-create and articulate a product directional framework.
• Lead a motivated team of world class product developers and integrate with all stakeholders to always deliver industry leadership position.
• Enable and unlock the diverse and unique individual strengths and skills within the team to deliver foods strategy.
• Clarify and align across matrix functions and with suppliers to cut through complexity, remove barriers and provide clear and decisive decision making.
• Inspire and drives a thriving culture that enables high performance and cultivate an empowering environment that drives inclusivity and collaboration and advances the team’s skillsets and capabilities.
• Identifies, nurtures, develops, rewards and retains talent.
• Enable teams to deliver at pace by proactively identifying and unblocking obstacles and leverage team strengths for stronger dynamic.
• Teams are supported by an appropriate and relevant skills plan in support of their development, succession and growth.
• Influences and supports product development processes and supporting systems.
• Support teams along the product development process: gate approvals, assisting to remove obstacles, improve processes.
• Brief strategic cross group initiatives, including design.
• Advocate for resources when required, including budget, personnel, and technology, to support the product development process.

Minimum requirements

• Relevant Degree/ Diploma/ Qualification in Food and Consumer Science, Chef, Horticulture or Food technology/ Science
• 8-10 yrs experience in the food industry or relevant industry experience 
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Food product development, Retail, FMCG brand management or hospitality essential
• Experience in Poultry, Seafood and / or Dairy will be advantageous
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in leading a team of diverse people.
• Experience of working cross functionally or within a matrix organisation
• Network of Food supplier relations – Local/ International
• Relevant business/ management qualifications e.g. SMDP
• Awareness of global food, health and lifestyle trends
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally.
• Commercial Acumen
• Customer Centric
• Project Management
• Passionate Ambassador
• Product Expertise
• Innovation Mindset
• Retail & Related Industry Knowledge
• Data Intelligence