Product Development Specialist - International Markets (Africa)

Pedros is looking for an experienced Senior Product Development Specialist to lead product development for our international markets across Africa, reporting to the Deputy Head of Product Development (2IC). This is a hands-on, specialist role responsible for adapting existing products and developing new products for individual African markets - balancing local taste preferences, ingredient availability and regulatory requirements with the consistency of the Pedros brand experience. The role requires regular travel to current and prospective markets across the continent.

Duties and Responsibilities:

International Product Development

• Lead the localisation and adaptation of Pedros' core menu for new and existing African markets, balancing local taste preferences with brand consistency.
• Develop new products and limited-time offers tailored to specific country or regional markets across Africa.
• Conduct in-market research, including local taste testing and consumer feedback sessions, to inform product decisions.
• Assess local ingredient availability and identify substitute ingredients or suppliers where required, without compromising product quality or brand standards.
• Prepare product costings and margin analysis specific to each market's cost base, currency and pricing environment.
• Ensure all products meet local food safety, labelling and regulatory requirements in each market, working with legal and compliance stakeholders as needed.
• Support new market entry by developing launch menus and product rollout plans in partnership with local franchise partners.

Market & Franchise Partner Collaboration

• Act as the Product Development point of contact for international franchise partners and in-market teams across Africa.
• Travel regularly to current and prospective African markets to conduct product trials, supplier visits and launch support.
• Build strong working relationships with in-market operations, marketing and supply chain teams to ensure successful product rollouts.
• Provide training and product knowledge support to franchise partners and in-market teams on new product launches.
• Feed local market insights and trends back into the broader Product Development strategy.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report on international product development projects, timelines, costings and post-launch performance by market.
• Monitor competitor activity, food trends and regulatory changes across African markets to inform future development.
• Recommend improvements to processes for adapting and launching products across multiple international markets.

Requirements:

Essential

• Several years of previous experience in a Product Development role, ideally within food, FMCG, retail or QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) environments.
• Proven experience developing or adapting products for international or multi-country markets, ideally within Africa.
• Strong recipe development and food science fundamentals, with an understanding of costing and margin implications across different markets.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly and extensively across African markets.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to work effectively with in-market and franchise partner teams.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, able to manage multiple concurrent projects across different markets and time zones.

Desirable

• Experience within the QSR, restaurant or food franchise industry, particularly in an international or multi-market capacity.
• Existing knowledge of, or working experience in, African food markets and consumer trends.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Culinary Arts, International Business or a related field.
• Additional language skills relevant to African markets.
• Valid passport and ability to secure travel visas for African countries.

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