Head of Product Development – Guacamole, South Africa

About the role

Westfalia Fruit is seeking a senior leader to head product development for fresh and processed guacamole products in South Africa. The incumbent will drive research, formulation, and technical optimisation across local and export markets, ensuring timely, commercially viable launches.

Key responsibilities

• Lead new product development from concept brief through factory launch, including formulation, pilot trials and scale‑up validation.
• Conduct shelf‑life studies (microbiological, sensory and stability) for chilled and extended‑shelf supply chains.
• Reformulate existing SKUs to improve cost efficiency, avocado yield and raw‑material utilisation.
• Enhance product stability (color, texture, flavour) and drive clean‑label, sodium‑reduction and retailer‑driven upgrades.
• Support customer technical approvals, audits and regulatory submissions; maintain complete product documentation.
• Optimise processing parameters (oxygen control, acidification, HPP/MAP) to maximise shelf‑life and consistency.
• Lead factory trials, troubleshoot deviations and collaborate with Operations and QA to validate CCPs and quality improvements.
• Act as primary technical contact for major customers and manage the R&D team using stage‑gate project management.

Required profile

• Qualified and experienced professional to lead research, product development and technical optimisation for fresh and processed guacamole.
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally with Commercial, Operations, Quality and retail customers.
• Experience managing product documentation, regulatory compliance and customer technical approvals.

Required skills

• Microbiological testing and sensory analysis.
• Shelf‑life stability testing.
• High Pressure Processing (HPP) and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP).
• Oxygen control and acidification management.
• Stage‑gate project management.

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead product innovation for a global avocado leader.
• Collaborative, cross‑functional environment.
• Exposure to both local and export markets.