Job Specifics:

• Location: Gauteng, South Africa
  
• Employment Type: Permanent
  
• Salary: R600,000 – R800,000 CTC per annum
  

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development projects from concept through to commercialisation
  
• Drive innovation in tissue and paper products, including formulation, design, and performance optimisation
  
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, procurement, and commercial teams
  
• Conduct cost modelling, margin analysis, and financial impact assessments of product changes
  
• Ensure compliance with South African regulatory requirements, quality standards, and sustainability frameworks
  
• Optimise manufacturing processes and product specifications to improve efficiency and reduce costs
  
• Monitor global industry trends and incorporate innovation opportunities into product pipelines
  
• Manage and present technical and commercial insights to internal stakeholders
  

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following:
  
• Engineering (Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical or related)
  
• Paper Science / Paper Technology
  
• Materials Science or related technical field
  
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous, such as:
  

• MSc in a relevant discipline
  
• MBA
  
• Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology
  

• Exposure to cost or management accounting is highly advantageous:
  

• CIMA qualification or currently studying towards CIMA preferred
  

Experience

• 10–15 years’ experience in product development, R&D, or technical roles within FMCG manufacturing
  
• Proven track record of successfully delivering NPD projects from concept to commercialisation
  
• Prior experience within tissue, paper, or hygiene product manufacturing is strongly preferred
  

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of tissue converting processes, including:
  

• Creping
  
• Calendaring
  
• Winding
  

• Solid understanding of pulp and paper chemistry, material properties, and manufacturing equipment
  
• Experience with quality management systems, regulatory compliance, and sustainability standards in South Africa
  
• Proficiency in cost modelling, variance analysis, and financial evaluation of product changes
  
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP)
  

Project and Process Management

• Strong project management capability
  
• Formal certification advantageous:
  

• PMP
  
• PRINCE2
  
• Agile methodologies
  

• Experience with Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies preferred
  

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
  
• Excellent leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills
  
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
  
• Commercial acumen with the ability to balance innovation and cost efficiency
  
• Awareness of global trends in tissue and hygiene products (e.g., hypoallergenic products, smart packaging)
  

Industry Experience

• FMCG Manufacturing (essential)
  
• Research & Development / Scientific
  
• Engineering within manufacturing environments
  
• Exposure to retail or wholesale product environments advantageous