Available position
Senior Product Developer
The Role
Pesto Princess wishes to employ an experienced Senior Product Developer who will develop & cost new products or improve and value engineer existing lines.
About Pesto Princess Foods
Pesto Princess manufactures fresh, preservative-free pesto sauces, soups, cooking sauces and dips sold through retail chains and food distributors nationwide. The factory is in a secure business park in the South Peninsula in Cape Town.
Core Responsibilities, Duties & Tasks
- Manage multiple development projects from initial concept to launch.
- Create and update detailed product costings & monitor product margins monthly.
- Periodically monitor yield losses and update loss calculations where needed
- Create and manage the NPD budget & provide a meaningful variance report.
- Conduct factory trials, travel tests and first productions on new lines.
- Evaluate samples and coordinate tastings and benchmarking sessions.
- Conduct shelf-life tests to validate the shelf stability of the product.
- Source suitable suppliers according to food safety standards, price, capacity, and payment terms.
- Review technical supplier documentation on new suppliers / raw materials required in new developments.
- Create and/or maintain raw material, packaging, in-process, and finished product specifications.
- Create artwork briefs according to relevant legislation, check artwork and sign off on print runs and online approval.
- Solve production challenges relating to new or existing products.
- Ensure product detail on the internal Sage Evolution system is accurately captured and maintained.
- Support production initiatives like process improvement projects to streamline the manufacturing process of existing products.
- Keep abreast of trends in food product development and food technology and share when relevant.
- Provide technical support to other departments: quality assurance, operations, procurement, and sales.
Skills, Experience & Attributes
- You have a BSc/BTech/National Diploma in Food Science/Technology, or similar qualification.
- You have 3- 5 years’ experience in a food manufacturing environment.
- You’re experienced in Excel, Word and Sage Evolution or similar system.
- You’re creative, innovative, solution-driven, and proactive.
- You’re able to work in a fast paced, high-pressured environment, while still paying close attention to details.
- You have excellent written & verbal communication skills.
- Your ability to follow instructions & procedures is impeccable.
- You’re passionate about environmental sustainability.
- You care & have high integrity.
Working Environment
You will spend time on the factory floor, wearing protective clothing as per food safety requirements, as well as being office-based.
Company Culture
Caring is the central company value on our business journey. If you care about the
customer, care about producing excellent work & care about the impact the business
has on the environment, then this position is for you. Since we will also be caring for
you, be prepared to do the extraordinary, and have your talents developed.
Apply for this Job
There are two steps to your application:
- Write a one-page letter of motivation explaining why you are the best candidate for this position and include your salary expectations.
- Update your CV and send it to apply@pesto.co.za along with the letter of motivation.
Wednesday 31 December 2025. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. We reserve the right to re-advertise should we not find a suitable candidate.