About the position
Westfalia Fruit Products, has a vacancy for a suitably qualified and experienced Head of Product Development - South Africa, situated in Midrand, Johannesburg
Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocados & fresh produce across the globe
Purpose of the role:
The successful incumbent will lead research, product development, and technical optimization activities for fresh and processed guacamole products across local and export markets, ensuring commercially viable product innovation, compliance, and successful product launches
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Product Innovation & Commercialization (NPD)
- Lead product development from concept brief to factory launch, including formulation, pilot trials, and scale-up validation
- Conduct shelf-life studies (microbiological, sensory, and stability) for local chilled and extended export supply chains
- Deliver commercially viable products that meet customer specifications, margin targets, and operational capability
- Product Optimization & Continuous Improvement (EPD)
- Reformulate existing SKUs to improve cost efficiency, avocado yield, and raw material utilization
- Enhance product stability including color retention, texture consistency, and flavor profile while reducing complaints
- Drive clean-label improvements, sodium reduction, and retailer-driven product upgrades
- Technical Compliance & Export Governance
- Support customer technical approvals, audits, and regulatory submissions
- Maintain complete product documentation including specifications, allergen declarations, and validation reports
- Ensure compliance with local and export food legislation, labeling requirements, and certification standards
- Process & Technical Excellence
- Optimize processing parameters including oxygen control, acidification, and HPP/MAP applications to maximize shelf-life and consistency
- Lead factory trials and troubleshoot product or process deviations
- Collaborate with Operations and QA to validate CCPs, shelf-life extensions, and quality improvements
- Customer & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as the primary technical contact for major customers and key accounts
- Manage and develop the R&D team using structured stage-gate project management methodologies
- Align R&D, Commercial, Procurement, and Operations to deliver projects on time and within budget
Minimum Requirements:
Education and Experience:
- BSc in Food Science or Consumer Science (essential)
- Post-graduate NPD or formulation training advantageous
- Proven food product development and commercialization experience, ideally within fresh or high-care categories
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and factory scale-up
- Experience with food labelling laws, accreditation standards, packaging, and customer liaison
- R&D team management experience with HSE knowledge and high-risk food exposure
- Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, acidification, and shelf-life validation
Knowledge and Skills:
- Sound understanding of local and export food legislation, labeling requirements, and certification standards
- Ability to translate formulations into scalable manufacturing processes
- Competence in stage-gate project management, cost modelling, margin management, and data-driven decision-making
- Strong cross-functional leadership and customer-facing communication skills
- Excellent problem-solving ability and team development capability
- Commercially minded and results driven
- Ownership and accountability
- Collaborative and influential approach
- Innovative and solution-oriented mindset
- Resilient with strong attention to detail
Salary:
The Company offers a Total Guaranteed Remuneration Package which comprises provident fund, insured benefits, medical aid and an option to structure an annual bonus
Closing date for applications: 28 May 2026
NB: Should you not receive correspondence by 30 June 2026, please regard your application as unsuccessful
Desired Skills:
- Product Development
- Agriculture
- Food Science
