To ensure the development, sourcing, and delivery of safe, innovative, and market-leading products that consistently meet the highest quality standards while offering exceptional value to Woolworths customers. This role is responsible for driving product excellence throughout the product lifecycle, from concept and development through to launch and continuous improvement, ensuring that customer needs, market trends, and business objectives are successfully aligned.
- BSc Foods Science Degree / BTech Food Technology/ BSc Biotechnology
- Minimum 5 years relevant experience, long-life shelf stable product experience would be advantageous
- Understanding of high/low risk processing with Cut Fruit/Fresh Juice/Beverages
- Practical working and relevant industry experience of different thermal and non-thermal process technologies will be advantageous
- Technical product knowledge (including characteristics, raw material sourcing/manufacturing processes and quality/safety parameters) within fresh juice/chilled beverage products
- Experience within the Retail environment would be advantageous
- Knowledge of technical processes and principles (incl. Safety and Legislation, e.g. HACCP, GMP, Supply Chain, TACCP)
- Knowledge of packaging functionality and application
- Ability to identify problems and implement effective solutions in collaborations with supplier base
- Well-versed in relevant legislation and ability to play an influencing role.
- Team player with ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people
- Assertive communication skills and confident
- Quality mindset
- Innovation/continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, pressurised environment
- Developed sensory skills
- Business acumen, judgment and problem-solving ability
- Strategic development and planning skills
- Project management skills
- Networking and influencing skills
- Assertive communication and conflict handling skills
- Pro-active, innovative and entrepreneurial
- Flexible with ability and willingness to travel
- Ability to work productively in a stressful environment
- Ability to apply a project management approach for the delivery of key projects
- Ability to identify problems and implement effective solutions in collaborations with supplier base
- Support the development of a customer-focused technical strategy to support the WW Foods Strategy
- Technical lead for the Cut Fruit & Fresh Juice Team with the implementation of the category management plans
- Brand integrity, product safety and risk mitigation
- Ensure delivery of technically and commercially viable range of products that meets the needs of the Woolworths’ customer
- Operational excellence through the development of the technical guidelines, policies, and standards
- Communicate and manage all technical objectives and priorities to respective teams and key stakeholders
- Support the implementation of effective Food Safety & Quality protocols to ensure compliance to product specifications, Woolworths’ policies, Brand Integrity Plan and guidelines, industry standards and regulations
- Manage adherence to Woolworths’ Technical requirements and Good Business Journey (GBJ) across all products
- Manage and monitor technical KPI’s
- Product and process audits, including the formulation of specifications
- Quality monitoring and reporting
- Provide input into category, technical and supplier strategies, and implementation of technical aspects thereof
- Packaging development, with respect to legislation, nutritional aspects and shelf life
