product development technologist

Full-time role based at UCOOK head office (The Palms Center, Woodstock) and warehouse (Paarden Eiland), Cape Town 

Reports to NPD Manager 

ABOUT US

Silvertree Brands builds disruptive purpose-driven consumer and digital brands. Our power brands include UCOOK, Faithful to Nature, PetHeaven and SKOON. We focus on building amazing customer experiences that are "Good for you, good for the planet." We trust our employees with full accountability and autonomy from day one. This unique entrepreneurial and performance-driven culture enables us to achieve executional excellence. 

At UCOOK we create 32 new recipes for our customers to choose from each week, and we deliver fresh, locally-sourced and ethical pre-portioned ingredients to their door. Additionally we deliver frozen meals, desserts, wine, weekend meal kits and occasions boxes. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Product Developer collaboratively works with both Meal Kit & NPD teams at UCOOK. The candidate holds the responsibility of ensuring each KPI detailed below is managed and met on a weekly basis. The candidate is required to work cross-functionally with Procurement (both Meal Kit & Demand Planners), Operations, Marketing, BI and Tech teams. 

Roles & Responsibilities and KPIs within this position,  including but not limited to:

1. Craft Frozen Range project management and development

• Develop and test innovative recipes aligned with product and business objectives.
• Conduct detailed recipe costing to ensure target margins are met.
• Draft, implement, and validate production processes through trials and optimizations.
• Perform quality control (QC) testing to ensure product consistency and compliance with standards.
• Prepare, maintain, and implement specification documents and process documentation.
• Provide support in supplier management, including assessment, communication, and compliance tracking.

In House production Food safety development  

• Lead and support HACCP studies across various product ranges and projects.
• Implement food safety procedures  in the In-house production kitchen

Meal kit component development

•  Develop, test and cost component ingredients for meal kits, that fit meal kit category specs
• Draft, implement, and validate production processes through trials and optimizations.
• Prepare, maintain, and implement specification documents and process documentation.

Market Range project management

• Sourcing, costing, and supplier negotiation with regards to new interesting products that aligns with the market objectives 
• Present samples to tasting panel and consolidate feedback
• Ensure that products are safe, from a reputable supplier and have been through a risk assessment
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure that the product is ready for launch - Operations, Procurement, Finance, Marketing, Tech & BI
• Deciding on de-listing and changing the range to ensure a balanced range while optimizing sales and revenue, and manage wastage.
• Technical approval of new products from food safety & labeling legislation perspective.

Occasions, bundles and Weekend boxes project management

Execution and project management of Occasions boxes / weekend boxes / bundles, to ensure growth of sales/revenue:

• Lead concept and recipe development aligned with clearly defined objectives.
• Develop and manage timelines to ensure on-time delivery of each product launch.
• Conduct recipe costing and commercial feasibility studies, preparing and presenting proposals for management approval.
• Coordinate recipe testing and oversee recipe copywriting in collaboration with the Food Team.
• Organize and manage product photoshoots, ensuring accurate representation and alignment with the product's purpose and objectives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders—including Operations, Procurement, Marketing, Tech, and BI—to ensure all aspects of the product are prepared for a successful launch.
• Partner with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and Logistics teams to confirm order lists are accurate and that products are produced, packed, and delivered as intended, delivering an exceptional customer experience.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Tertiary qualification in Food Science/ Food Technology/ Consumer Science
• 3+ years experience in product development 
• 3+ years experience in food manufacturing environment 
• Experience with food safety systems and processes

Functional skills:

• Line management - leadership abilities 
• Passion for food and a high level of  understanding food and flavours 
• Strong Excel and Powerpoint skills 
• Time management - deadline driven 
• Strong oral and written communication
• Attention to detail 
• Proficient in cross-functional team work 
• Able to delegate 
• Self-motivated
• Professional Culinary qualification (advantageous)

Soft  skills:

• Collaborative team player with a can-do attitude and critical thinking approach to problem solving
• Creative and innovative
• Builds strong personal and professional relationships
• Ability to motivate self and others
• Shows initiative and drive 
• Finger on the pulse of current trends within the Food Industry 
• Accountability 
• Proactive and enthusiastic 
• Optimistic solution finder
  

BENEFITS

• Discounts across the Silvertree portfolio group : 20% - 50% discount on UCOOK, 25% - 35% from FtN, and discounts on PetHeaven, and SKOON.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Own transportation