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Job purpose: Plan and implement strategies for product development and conformance for Itau in Bloemfontein to meet company targets for business sustainability, growth, market share, corporate image and brand building initiatives. Job responsibilities: Plan, implement and monitor product quality, food safety and product ranges within the concept of “feed to food” to achieve initiated agreed standards, budgets, market leadership andorganisational growth in line with Vision, Values and long-term strategic requirements. Recruit, develop, motivate and appraise direct reporting staff according to company procedures, policy and employment law. Initiate quality and food safety standards and appraise raw material and finished goods product ranges and sets up purchasing policies and procedures. Procure and appraise raw materials, suppliers and delivery channels for all product ranges ensuring compliance to legislative and industry standards and norms. Develop formulations for product ranges via internal and external communication and brand diversification initiatives and needs to maintain market leadership. Initiate, through personal expertise and ongoing research new and improved techniques, product formulations and parameters for existing and new products and initiate strategies for improvement / development of new products and services within quality, reliability and Food Safety Guidelines. Establish beneficial contact and/or alliances with suppliers of raw materials and on occasion customers, suppliers, delivery channels and agencies to optimise profitability. Continually analyse product and feed tendencies, product ranges, markets movement, opposition strategies, etc to ensure market leadership. Implement strategies to assure market leadership in terms of feed product for mutual optimal profitability, e.g. Local and International technical nutritional seminars, circulars, consumer groups. Liase closely with MD, Marketing and Factory Manager to ensure that product development initiatives fit in with market needs and manufacturing capabilities. Participate in activities of the Food Safety Management Team as member to ensure the implementation and maintenance of the System