Senior NPD Buyer (Healthcare)

About this role

Clicks Group is looking for a Senior NPD Buyer to join its Healthcare department at the Cape Town Head Office. You will report to the Commercial Executive – Healthcare. The role leads the healthcare new product development pipeline across private label, exclusive brands and strategic partnerships.

What you’ll do

• Set and carry out the healthcare new product development strategy, in line with divisional and category goals.
• Spot market trends, consumer needs and gaps in the range, then turn them into commercially viable product pipelines with Category Management.
• Build business cases covering pricing, margins, financial projections and return on investment.
• Run the full product development process, from idea and sourcing through to validation and launch, on time and within budget.
• Negotiate product costs, trading terms, promotional support and supplier agreements, and manage brand licensing and contracts.
• Make sure every healthcare product meets legislation, regulatory and quality requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop the NPD Buyer and the wider innovation team.

What you need

• A degree or diploma in Product Development, Purchasing Management, Retail Management, Pharmacy or a related commercial discipline.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in product development, buying, category management or healthcare retail.
• Extensive experience running end-to-end new product development projects.
• Experience sourcing from and negotiating with local and international suppliers.
• Proven commercial accountability for sales, margin, pricing and profit.
• 2 to 3 years of people management experience.
• Experience within healthcare.
• Advantageous: experience managing private label or exclusive brand portfolios.
• Advantageous: experience negotiating licensing agreements and managing brand partnerships.
• Advantageous: an advanced qualification in Business, Marketing or Supply Chain Management, or a project management qualification.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, analytical and presentation skills, plus advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Is this job for you?

This role suits an experienced buyer or product developer who has led projects from concept to launch. You should be comfortable owning budgets and margins, and you should enjoy building supplier relationships. Leading a team is a core part of the job.

Tips before you apply

• Have your degree or diploma certificates and a list of your past employers and dates ready.
• Show two or three healthcare product launches on your CV, with the margin, sales or cost results you delivered.
• Give clear examples of supplier negotiations and the people you have managed, including team size and what you achieved.