Head of Product Development

Roles and responsibilities

• Formulation of ingredient/process recipes and product-related procedures.
• Building relation with suppliers to explore new ingredients and technologies for new products and ingredient matching purposes.
• Preparation and update technical specifications and product declarations.
• Follow up on matters relating to recipe, procedures, equipment, and quality on new products after commercial trials.
• Conduct laboratory scale trials and supervise pilot plant trials.
• Updating records of planning and status reports of activities.
• Taking lead role in troubleshooting exercises.
• Developing new product concepts and prototypes.
• Conducting product testing and evaluation.
• Ensuring that new products meet KDD`s quality standards.
• Complying with all relevant regulations.
  

Required Qualification

• Education: Bachelor's degree in relevant field of Food / Dairy Technology.
• Work Experience: Minimum required experience of 7 years of experience in the field of food innovation/development.
  

Required Professional Skills

• Strong project management skills to oversee the development of new products from concept to launch
• Knowledge of quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Capability to evaluate product performance and testing results
• Ability to prepare and update technical specifications and product declarations
• Experience in exploring new ingredients and technologies
• Ability to develop new product concepts and prototypes
• Creativity in improving and re-engineering existing products
• Keen attention to detail in every aspect of product development
• Ensuring accuracy and compliance in all documentation and processes
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including R&D, marketing, and production
• Understanding of relevant regulations and standards in the food industry

Desired candidate profile

1. Product Strategy and Planning

• Market Research: Conducting market research to understand customer needs, market trends, and competitor products. Using this information to develop product strategies that align with business goals.
• Product Roadmap: Developing and managing a product roadmap, which outlines the key stages of product development, from ideation to launch and beyond.
• Product Vision: Defining the product vision and ensuring alignment with the company’s overall mission and market positioning.
• Business Case Development: Creating detailed business cases for new products, including market opportunity analysis, financial projections, and expected outcomes.

2. Product Design and Development

• Concept Development: Collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., engineering, design, and marketing) to develop product concepts, ensuring that they meet the defined market needs and specifications.
• Design Oversight: Leading the design process, from initial sketches and prototypes to finished products. Ensuring that designs are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with user preferences.
• Prototype Testing: Overseeing the development of prototypes and conducting tests to evaluate their functionality, usability, and market appeal.
• Iterative Improvements: Ensuring continuous improvements in the product design and development process, adjusting based on customer feedback and performance.

3. Cross-Functional Team Leadership

• Team Management: Leading and coordinating cross-functional teams that may include engineers, designers, marketers, salespeople, and external partners.
• Stakeholder Communication: Maintaining regular communication with key stakeholders (including senior management, marketing teams, and sales teams) to ensure alignment throughout the product development process.
• Collaboration: Collaborating with various departments (such as R&D, finance, sales, and operations) to ensure product designs are feasible, scalable, and cost-effective.