Candidate

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First Name: Sithandinkosi Moyo
E-Mail Address: sthandyn@gmail.com
Country: South Africa
Phone: +27840696099
Current Job Designation: New product development specialist
Job Designation Applying For: New product developer
Total Years of Experience: 8
Copy your Resume / CV in this box: SITHANDINKOSI MOYO
+27 84 069 6099 | sthandyn@gmail.com | LinkedIn Profile
NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPER
Accomplished NPD Specialist with extensive experience in new product development, existing product
optimization, project management, market research, and providing tailored solutions to meet client
needs. Proven track record in creating and launching innovative products, managing packaging and
supplier relationships, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Adept at conducting sensory evaluations
and overseeing product quality from concept to launch and monitoring quality and sales post launch
for range extension or product discontinuation.
EXPERIENCE
NPD Specialist | Sasol | Oct 2021 – Present
• Product Development: Created and launched Grab & Go and pre-packed products for
convenience stores, including NPD & packaging briefs, kitchen trials, factory upscale, and cost
approvals.
• Trend Analysis & Marketing: Conducted trends research, sensory evaluations, and
developed marketing collateral.
• Packaging & Supplier Management: Managed packaging and artwork development,
supplier assessment prior to onboarding, and documentation and specifications for raw
material, products and packaging.
• Project Management: Planned, tracked, reported project progress, communicated and
resolved key issues with project, ensuring timely delivery according to set project timelines.
• Specifications & Compliance: Developed product and retail specifications, quality contracts,
and handled customer complaints.
• Marketing & Communication: Coordinated product photoshoots, trade presenters, and
marketing materials approval.
• Product Launch & Monitoring: Oversaw product launches, range reviews, quality & sales
monitoring, product discontinuation or modifications and menu standardization.
• Training & Market Research: Conducted new product training for staff and compiled
competitor market research reports in support for new product developments.
• Business Reviews: Compiled quarterly departmental reviews with management and reports
for stakeholders.
• Product portfolio – bottled water, RTE meals & soups, frozen desserts, sandwiches, smoothies
NPD/QA Technologist | Kees Beyers Chocolates | Sep 2020 – Sep 2021
• New & Existing Product Development & Optimization: Supported product and raw material
kitchen trials, upscale production, created and updated accept/reject criteria and conducted
transit tests, optimized existing products.
• Non-Conformance Management: Investigated product non-conformances and customer
complaints, performed traceability checks, root cause analysis, and implemented corrective
actions and improvements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Prepared ingredient declarations for product packaging, reviewed
and approved product packaging, artwork, and labels, ensuring adherence to labeling
regulations.
• Auditing & Quality Monitoring: Conducted internal audits, prepared for external audits, and
monitored product quality & sales post-launch for range extension or discontinuation.
• Sample Management: Coordinated sensory evaluations, shelf-life analysis, and prepared
samples for client approvals and photoshoots.
• Training, Documentation & Staff Management: Updated procedures, trained staff, and
managed documentation related to new products, processes, and systems. Managed 4 QC
staff members.
• Food Safety & Product Release: Ensured compliance with food safety standards, proper
cleaning protocols, and timely product release with required laboratory tests.
• Product portfolio – panned products (hen's eggs, speckled eggs, chocolate-coated peanuts,
biscuts & raisins), marshmallows
Applications Technologist | Firmenich | Sep 2017 – Dec 2019
• Product Development & Optimization: Translated sales briefs into client-ready products and
presentations; formulated new products and optimized existing ones.
• Sensory Evaluation & Analysis: Organized sensory evaluations, prepared products, and
interpreted results to guide development across sweet, savory, and beverage categories.
• Customer-Specific Solutions: Developed tailored solutions, including flavor and color
matching, sugar and fat reduction, and new technology promotion.
• Competitor Benchmarking: Conducted competitor product analysis to match taste, texture,
appearance, and nutrition, ensuring competitive pricing.
• Cost & Regulation Compliance: Collaborated on cost-in-use calculations to meet client
budgets, ensured compliance with local and international ingredient regulations.
• Lab & Factory Trials: Conducted in-house lab trials, factory upscale, and adjustments while
maintaining lab and factory standards.
• Nutritional Analysis: Calculated nutritional information for products.
• Product portfolio – sweet goods (hard boiled candies, chocolates, baked goods, cereals,
powdered drinks, dairy)
SKILLS
New product development Product specifications creation
Sensory evaluation Project management
Market research & benchmarking Product quality& sales monitoring
Flavour & colour applications Customer complaints investigation
Product packaging, ingredient declaration & artwork verification
EDUCATION
2023 - 2023 | One-year Diploma in Packaging | Institute of Packaging South Africa
2017 – 2019 | BTech Food Technology | Tshwane University of Technology
2013 – 2016 | National Diploma Food Technology | University of Johannesburg
CERTIFICATES
June 2025 | Advanced Microsoft Excel | Front Foot Strategic Consulting
November 2024 | Understanding & Implementing Food Safety Management Systems: FSSC 22000
version 6 | Progress Excellence
January 2024 | Root Cause Analysis | Klepner & Fourie
May 2023 | Facilitator Training Programme | Enjo Consultants
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