About the position
Design & Product Development Specialist - Driving evolution!
This opportunity is not a remote/hybrid working position and requires a dedicated full-time resource at the office - Monday to Friday
A local, high-growth, dynamic and energetic manufacturer and supplier of stationery and books is looking for a highly experienced Design and Product Development Specialist to join the team in executing a comprehensive product strategy, ensuring market relevance and commercial success. The role involves leading a design team, managing the product lifecycle, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Additionally, the position requires overseeing product performance, analysing market trends and collaborating with internal departments to optimize product offerings and enhance customer satisfaction.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, analytical thinker with strong communication, planning, and time management skills.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and motivated self-starter with initiative and creativity. Looking for a hardworking, trustworthy and organized person, with a strong ability to multi-task. A can-do attitude is a must, along with the ability to learn quickly and adapt to a demanding and changing work environment. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a comprehensive marketing portfolio and build on a growing brand, all while gaining an understanding of the inner workings of the stationery and publishing market.
The Position: We're looking for a Product Manager to be based permanently in Germiston. The pay range on offer is a between R40 000.00 to R45 000.00 CtC Per Month. This is not a remote working position and standard working hours from the office in Germiston will apply.
How to Apply:
For your application to be considered, please email your CV to Tatum Martin on [Email Address Removed] - only candidates with suitable experience will be contacted.
Requirements:
- South African with a valid South African ID
- Completed Matric
- Minimum 3 years relevant product & brand experience is essential
- MS Excel essential
- Experience mentoring and managing product team members
- Importing and distribution experience will be highly beneficial
- Must have a good understanding of written and verbal communication
- Must be able to work independently and be responsible enough to work without supervision
- Must be a Self-Starter
- Ability to work in a self-driven, complex environment with multiple and changing priorities
- Ability to focus on deadlines and deliverables
- Well-versed in Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Excel (Advanced), Word and Outlook)
- Advanced excel skills are a must
- Digital marketing experience
- Product marketing experience
- Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn technology platforms to support various forms of digital marketing
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary
- Resourceful, well organized, highly dependable, efficient and detail oriented
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Previous marketing position experience a must
Responsibilities:
- Guide product development and range building, ensuring trends are followed
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet deadlines
- Develop and execute product strategies to drive market growth, align with business objectives, and enhance product positioning
- Conduct market research and trend analysis to identify opportunities, threats and evolving customer needs
- Manage the product lifecycle, including new product development, launch execution, and discontinuation strategies
- Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to create promotional campaigns, sales materials and go-to-market strategies
- Monitor and analyze product performance, including sales trends and market share, to optimize revenue potential
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, technical, and quality standards, maintaining high product integrity and competitiveness
- Keep launches on track and on time-own the timeline, own the results
- Spot trends, listen to feedback, and outsmart the competition with fresh ideas
- Be the go-to product guru for the team, guiding and inspiring everyone
- Manage artwork and graphics
- Product costings
- Desk research and concept development
- Track and analyse key performance indicators, including managing suppliers for on-time production and maintaining accurate records
- Collaborate with suppliers to maximize material efficiencies across products while minimizing liabilities and surcharges
- Create sell sheets and product databases for B2B
- Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to create promotional campaigns, sales materials, and go-to-market strategies
- Manage a team of designers
- Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures, executing discipline when required, up to representing the company at disciplinary hearings and appeals
- Drive motivation and innovation within the team
- Supplier & Agency Management
- Manage relationships with external agencies and suppliers, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget
- Oversee briefing processes, approvals and annual performance evaluations.
Skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to aggressive deadlines, incl. problem solving
- You're a natural leader who thrives on accountability and loves a challenge
- You know marketing, market trends, and how to juggle projects like a pro
- Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of organisation
- Strong organizational skills will be needed to manage the multiple outputs across multiple internal and external teams
- Attention to detail is a MUST
- Excellent relationship management skills across multi layered internal and external partners
- Have an understanding of design software programs such as (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.)
- Business Insight - applies market and business insights in order to drive organisational objectives
- Communicates Effectively - conveys information and communicates ideas in a clear, concise and impactful manner
- Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account
- Instills trust - inspires trust and gains the confidence of others by displaying honesty and integrity
- Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
- Optimizes Work Processes - assesses and improves the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of various work processes
- Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives
- Tech Savvy - leverages new technology to enhance productivity, improve problem solving, and support business growth
- Demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to quality, setting a high standard for the team to follow
Work references, criminal checks and qualification checks will be done on the successful candidate.
We will reply on applications that get shortlisted only. Therefore, please deem your application as unsuccessful if you have not received feedback after 7 days.
Desired Skills:
- Digital Marketing
- Product Marketing
- Product Launches
- Marketing Campaigns
- Social Media Marketing
- Traditional Marketing
- In-Store Promotions
- Trade Shows
- Competitor Analysis
- Sales Activities
- Product Performance
- Market Research
- Product Development
- Product Concept
- Product Costings
- Sourcing Suppliers
- Trends
- Product Testing
- Licenses
- Marketing Analysis
- Campaigns
Desired Work Experience:
Desired Qualification Level:
