UCOOK is a tech start-up and dinner-kit delivery service based in Cape Town. Our network of top SA chefs create 12 new recipes for our customers to choose from each week, and we deliver the fresh, locally sourced, ingredients to their door. With nationwide delivery, we've been in business for just over 5 years now, and have recently expanded our offering to include exciting new products, like UCOOK Craft Meals and the Market Box – and we will only continue to expand into new food markets. We're a driven, enthusiastic team looking to disrupt the B2C food supply chain. We're currently experiencing a period of rapid transformative growth, with NPD forming a fundamental part of the businesses future trajectory. The NPD executive alongside the CEO’s will be largely responsible for steering UCOOK's future, as we transition beyond the confines of the dinner kit niche and expand on our product horizons! Responsibilities Initiate and manage market research projects to deliver powerful consumer and customer insights as the basis for long term brand & equity growth. With reference given to the businesses product & brand ethos, research and deliver potential product concepts. Identify resource requirements, technical hurdles and business integration requirements and deliver to the executive team along with NPD concepts. Organise and actively participate in brainstorm sessions about new product ideas. Consolidate NPD idea’s and develop product pipeline in consultation with the respective heads of departments, executive team and board. All budgeting and forecasting that relates to the development and launch of new initiatives within the UCOOK environment. Form, manage and motivate project team’s internally & externally where required to assist with the delivery of NPD projects. Manage the on-boarding of new employees who are hired to facilitate the delivery and ongoing management of NPD initiatives. Manage post launch integration of NPD initiatives into core functional business units. Continuously make yourself aware of changes within the food & beverage industry globally so as to develop insights into market trends for UCOOK to capitalize on. Manage current UCOOK NPD team & the respective early phase NPD projects currently in launch phase. Requirements 6 - 8 years’ working experience in a food company. Career in leading FMCG company a plus Educated to minimum bachelors degree level ideally in marketing, food science or similar field Strong end-to-end NPD launch experience – from ideation to post launch Strong project management skills - prior experience of managing (leading) projects involving cross functional teams is preferred Experience on working with multifunctional product development team IS THIS YOU? Inspire trust, create direction, drive organizational alignment, execute and produce results Ability to challenge the status quo and the ability to manage and deliver change Strong analytical and strategic thinker Dynamic and entrepreneurial with high levels of energy and drive Curious – always on the lookout for new trends and ideas externally, keeps hand on the pulse of the industry Proactive and adaptable – willing to respond positively to changing circumstances; the ability to spot opportunities and risks, and act to get to the best outcome Non corporate. Silicon Valley culture, entrepreneurial team. Fun & young team. Fast paced. Tired of having to jump through endless hoops to get things done? Not here. We move fast and deliver. Growth. Long term potential to become CMO and management team member Autonomy. UC empowers you to OWN what you do. Feel good about the company you work for! UC is committed to making the world a better place. Work with smart people. We have a talented workforce that believes in sharing ideas to help each other, and the company succeed.
