Description
SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE
The Product Research & Development Associate will be responsible for supporting the end-to-end lifecycle of products from ideation to launch and beyond.
This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams including, marketing and operations, conducting market research, and assisting in the development and execution of product strategies to ensure the success of the company's products in the market.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Research and Idea Generation: Conduct market research to identify trends, consumer preferences, and potential product opportunities. Generate innovative ideas for new products or improvements to existing ones.
Product Conceptualization: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine product concepts. Develop detailed product specifications, including features, functionality, and design elements.
Prototyping and Testing: Create prototypes or product samples for testing and validation. Collaborate with quality assurance teams to ensure product compliance and safety standards.
Formulation and Ingredients: Research and select appropriate ingredients or materials for product development. Work on optimizing product formulations for performance and cost-effectiveness.
Cost Analysis: Analyze the cost of materials and production processes to determine product feasibility and pricing strategies.
Project Management: Develop project plans and timelines for product development initiatives. Monitor project progress, allocate resources, and ensure projects stay on schedule.
Collaboration with Suppliers: Establish relationships with suppliers and negotiate terms for sourcing raw materials or components. Evaluate supplier performance and quality.
Documentation: Maintain detailed records of product development processes, including formulations, specifications, and test results.
Regulatory Compliance: Stay informed about industry regulations and ensure product compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Market Analysis: Analyze market data and consumer feedback to refine product features and positioning.
Competitor Analysis: Monitor competitors' products and innovations to identify opportunities and threats.
Product Launch Support: Assist in the development of marketing materials, packaging, and branding strategies. Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to plan and execute product launches.
Continuous Improvement: Seek opportunities to enhance existing products, whether through cost reduction, quality improvement, or feature enhancements.
Troubleshooting: Address any issues or challenges that arise during the product development process.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with various departments, including marketing, sales, manufacturing, and quality control, to ensure successful product development and launch.
Budget Management: Manage the R&D budget, ensuring that projects are completed within budgetary constraints.
Intellectual Property: Identify and protect intellectual property, such as patents or trademarks, associated with new products.
Documentation and Reporting: Prepare and present reports on product development progress, including successes, challenges, and recommendations.
Quality Assurance and Testing: Work closely with quality assurance teams to ensure products meet quality standards and customer expectations.
Training and Development: Stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and best practices through training and professional development.
REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS
Minimum of Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Marketing, Engineering).
Must have completed NYSC
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed recommendations.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
Artistic and creative eye for managing co-creating and product label creation with graphics designers.
Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with product management concepts, methodologies, and tools is a plus.
Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.
Passion for technology, innovation, and understanding customer needs.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Outgoing personality with strong interpersonal and networking skills, professional mannerisms, and social presence.
Familiarity with the Google Office Suite; adept at using technology.
Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
Must have excellent Internet connection, a working laptop and ability to adjust work hours to Central Standard Time (Between 9 am - 5 pm Central Standard Time).
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