Work-Force
Senior Product Development Specialist opportunity in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Pedros is looking for an experienced Senior Product Development Specialist to join the Product Development team, reporting to the Deputy Head of Product Development. This is a hands-on, specialist role responsible for leading individual product development projects end-to-end — from concept and recipe development through to costing, testing and launch — while acting as a technical and creative reference point for the wider team.
Duties and Responsibilities
Product Development Lead the development of new menu items, flavours and limited-time offers from concept through to launch. Develop, test and refine recipes and product specifications, balancing flavour, cost, and operational feasibility. Conduct product testing and tasting sessions, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and consumers.
Prepare accurate costings and margin analysis for new products in collaboration with Finance and Supply Chain. Ensure new products meet Pedros’ food safety, quality and brand standards, and comply with relevant regulations. Work closely with Supply Chain to source ingredients and manage supplier trials for new products.
Support the rollout of new products into restaurants, including training materials and operational guides. Collaboration & Team Contribution Act as a subject-matter expert and go-to technical resource within the Product Development team. Mentor and guide junior product development team members on specific projects.
Collaborate closely with Marketing, Operations and Franchise teams to ensure products land successfully in market. Contribute ideas and insights to the broader product strategy and innovation pipeline. Deputise on specific projects or workstreams as directed by the Deputy Head of Product Development.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement Track and report on project timelines, costings and post-launch performance for owned products. Monitor market trends, competitor products and customer feedback to inform future development. Recommend improvements to product development processes, tools and ways of working.
Requirements
Essential Several years of previous experience in a Product Development role, ideally within food, FMCG, retail or QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) environments. Proven track record of taking products from concept to launch. Strong recipe development and food science fundamentals, with an understanding of costing and margin implications.
Excellent organisational and project management skills, able to manage multiple concurrent projects. Strong communication skills, with the ability to work confidently across cross-functional teams. Some experience guiding or mentoring junior colleagues on projects.
Desirable Experience within the QSR, restaurant or food franchise industry. Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business or a related field. Familiarity with product lifecycle and NPD (New Product Development) frameworks.