About the position
Introduction
JOB TITLE: Product Manager: Fishaways
JOB GRADE: D2
DEPARTMENT: Marketing
LOCATION: Midrand
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
To effectively manage all elements of the product mix within the Brand, create promotions that drive consumer needs and commercial deliverables, innovate for future growth and ensure the Brand continues to deliver against consumer expectations, and remain a world class competitor in the Quick Service Restaurant category.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Understand Marketing strategy and align with all new product development and trends, both locally and internationally
- Develop the menu to ensure the brand remains the restaurant brand with innovative menu offerings aligned to consumer demands
- Responsible and involved in Menu sign offs and promotional shoots
- Stay abreast of national and international competitor product/innovation trends. Conduct regular competitor visits and report back to marketing team on product and price.
- Implement and manage the entire new product development (NDP) process - obtain products, product testing, price negotiations, stock level projections and forecasting, quality checks, distribution, discontinuations, risk stock, write offs etc.
- Maintain supplier relations and collaboration in developing new product ideas and driving strategic price points and profit optimisation.
- Develop and drive promotional strategy and product development to support promotional plans.
- Development of pricing strategies and accountability for the recipe integrity.
- Accountable for profitability. Need to be familiar with menu analysis based on profitability and sales and creating a menu mix that will drive maximum profitability for franchise partners, whilst still adhering to consumer needs.
- Handle all product related queries from manufacturing partners and franchisees and ensure clear communication to the franchise network on any products/recipes or product/recipe changes.
- Full accountability for deal sheets, product and discontinuation briefs
- Ensure a complete 18-month pipeline of new menu and promotional line items at any given point in time for the brand.
- Responsible for customer complaints which are product based
- Take full accountability for packaging development and driving innovation in packaging including design - relevance, competitive, environmentally friendly.
- Manage uniform and crockery development from concept to final rollout.
- Interface with Marketing, Training, Supply Chain, Planning, Forecasting, Manufacturing and Operations.
- Prepare presentations and present at National Franchise Council, Brand Conferences and Brand Strategy sessions.
- Regular OPS visits.
Desired Experience & Qualification
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
FORMAL EDUCATION:
- Minimum Matric with a relevant food related tertiary qualification.
EXPERIENCE:
- Strong track record of successfully developing and launching new products.
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in product development side of the FMCG, Retail or the fast-food industry.
- Must have experience presenting and selling your own concepts and new product ideas
- Preferably previous franchising experience.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Excellent interpersonal & negotiation skills.
- Competent on Excel in determining GPs, cost prices and working with numbers.
- Enumerate & computer literate in Excel/PowerPoint/Word.
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
- Creative thinking and solution biased.
- Clear understanding of processes and standard operating procedures (SOP's).
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to meet strict deadlines.
- Attention to detail.
- Work on your own without supervision.
- Must love food and cooking.
