The posting
About the Role
We are looking for a commercially driven and technically capable Product Development Specialist to join our team and work closely with the Chief Executive Officer on product development, technical solutions and market opportunities.
This role is responsible for identifying commercially viable product opportunities, evaluating new products and technologies, developing technical and commercial proposals, and supporting the introduction and growth of products within the Company's portfolio.
The successful candidate should be able to independently research markets and products, understand customer requirements, assess technical and commercial feasibility, and translate opportunities into practical product solutions.
You will work closely with Sales, Procurement and Operations, as well as suppliers and customers, to evaluate opportunities and develop solutions that are technically suitable, commercially viable and aligned with the Company's business objectives.
This is a hands-on role suited to an individual who combines technical understanding, commercial awareness, analytical ability and strong ownership.
Key Responsibilities
1. Market Research & Opportunity Identification
- Monitor industry developments, market trends, customer requirements, emerging technologies and competitor activities relevant to the Company's business.
- Conduct independent research to identify potential product categories, applications, suppliers and market opportunities.
- Identify customer pain points and unmet market needs that may present opportunities for new products or solutions.
- Assess market demand, competitive positioning and potential commercial opportunities.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential product development opportunities.
- Present relevant findings and recommendations to management.
2. Product Development & Evaluation
- Identify and evaluate new products, technologies and product improvements for potential introduction into the Company's portfolio.
- Assess product suitability based on technical requirements, customer applications, market demand, pricing and supplier availability.
- Conduct product research and benchmarking against competing products and solutions.
- Work with Procurement and suppliers to identify suitable sourcing options.
- Evaluate product samples, specifications, certifications and technical documentation where applicable.
- Recommend whether products should be introduced, developed further, repositioned or discontinued.
- Support product testing, evaluation and validation where required.
3. Commercial Product Proposals
Prepare structured product proposals for management consideration, including where relevant:
- Product description and key features.
- Technical specifications and application.
- Target customer segments and market applications.
- Market demand and opportunity assessment.
- Competitor and alternative-product comparison.
- Supplier and sourcing options.
- Product costing and landed-cost considerations.
- Recommended selling price and margin projections.
- Expected commercial potential.
- Initial launch and go-to-market considerations.
- Key risks, assumptions and implementation requirements.
- Present product proposals and recommendations to management and relevant stakeholders.
- Support management in evaluating the commercial viability and strategic fit of proposed products.
4. Customer Technical Solutions
- Engage with customers to understand operational challenges, application requirements and technical needs.
- Identify appropriate products or combinations of products to address customer requirements.
- Conduct product and technical research to develop suitable solutions.
- Prepare technical proposals, product recommendations and supporting materials.
- Coordinate internally with Sales, Procurement and Operations to develop and deliver customer solutions.
- Participate in customer meetings and site visits where technical explanation, product assessment or solution development is required.
- Present product and solution recommendations to customers in a clear and commercially relevant manner.
- Provide technical clarification and troubleshooting support during the sales process.
- Follow up on technical solution cases and gather customer feedback for further product development.
5. Sales & Business Development Support
- Work closely with Sales to identify opportunities where technical or product expertise can strengthen customer engagement.
- Support Sales teams with product selection, technical information, product comparisons and proposal preparation.
- Assist Sales in addressing customer technical questions and product objections.
- Participate in joint customer visits where required.
- Identify opportunities to cross-sell, up-sell or introduce alternative products based on customer requirements.
- Provide technical input to support the conversion of qualified opportunities into sales.
6. Product Catalogue & Lifecycle Management
- Review the Company's product portfolio regularly to assess relevance, competitiveness and commercial performance.
- Identify products that are underperforming, obsolete, duplicated or no longer commercially viable.
- Recommend products for introduction, repositioning, replacement or phase-out.
- Identify gaps within existing product categories and recommend potential additions.
- Support product catalogue optimisation and rationalisation.
- Ensure product information, specifications and application details remain accurate and up to date.
- Work with relevant internal teams to ensure new products are properly introduced into internal systems, catalogues and sales materials.
7. Supplier & Internal Coordination
- Work with Procurement to identify, assess and engage potential suppliers for new product opportunities.
- Obtain and evaluate product specifications, quotations, samples and technical documentation.
- Coordinate with suppliers and principals on product information, technical requirements and commercial considerations.
- Work with Operations to assess logistics, storage, handling and fulfilment requirements for new products.
- Coordinate with Sales to understand market demand and customer requirements.
- Ensure relevant stakeholders are aligned throughout the product development and launch process.
8. Product Launch & Implementation
- Support the planning and execution of new product launches.
- Coordinate product information, samples, sales materials, pricing and other launch requirements.
- Work with Sales and Marketing to communicate product applications and value propositions.
- Support internal product briefings and training for Sales and relevant teams.
- Monitor initial market response and customer feedback following product introduction.
- Recommend adjustments to product positioning, pricing or application strategy based on market feedback.
9. Analysis, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain records of product opportunities, evaluations, proposals and development status.
- Prepare regular updates and reports for management on product development activities.
- Track the progress and commercial outcomes of approved product initiatives.
- Analyse product performance, margins, customer feedback and market response.
- Identify opportunities to improve product selection, pricing, sourcing and portfolio performance.
- Continuously research new technologies, products and applications relevant to the Company's business.
Key Requirements
- Diploma or Degree in Engineering, Business, Product Development, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in product development, technical sales, engineering products, industrial products, solution sales or a related commercial/technical environment.
- Strong understanding of product evaluation, market research and commercial feasibility.
- Ability to independently research products, markets and technical information.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to evaluate product costing, pricing and margin considerations.
- Good understanding of customer needs and commercial decision-making.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Good stakeholder-management skills and ability to work across Sales, Procurement, Operations and external parties.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Able to work independently, manage multiple opportunities and take ownership from initial research through to implementation.
- Commercially minded, proactive and comfortable making recommendations based on research and analysis.
Advantageous
- Experience in industrial, engineering, tools, hardware, equipment, MRO or technical product environments.
- Experience working with distributors, manufacturers, principals or suppliers.
- Experience in technical sales or customer solution development.
- Experience evaluating products from overseas suppliers.
- Familiarity with product costing, landed costs, margins and pricing structures.
- Experience with product lifecycle management or catalogue rationalisation.
- Experience with ERP or product management systems.
- Technical knowledge relevant to industrial products, equipment or applications.
What We Look For
We are looking for an individual who is curious, commercially minded, analytical and self-driven, with the ability to turn market observations and customer problems into practical business opportunities.
The successful candidate should be comfortable working independently, conducting research without extensive supervision, challenging existing product assumptions and presenting clear recommendations to management.
Candidates will be assessed based on their relevant qualifications, experience, skills, competencies and ability to perform the responsibilities of the role.
We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences who meet the stated job requirements.
Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume/CV, stating their relevant experience, qualifications and current or expected salary.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
All employment decisions will be made based on merit and the requirements of the role.
