Pamela Malemela
Product Development & Portfolio Transformation Manager
Cape Town,WC
Summary
A results-driven professional with extensive experience in Product Development and Project Management, I specialize in driving cost optimization, portfolio simplification, and performance improvement initiatives. With a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, I effectively collaborate across teams to align business objectives and ensure successful project outcomes. Proficient in Basic Problem Solving Methodologies (including Lean 6-Sigma and Whitebelt), I deliver process improvements and margin enhancements while streamlining operations. I have a proven track record of delivering business value through portfolio transformation, managing complex projects from inception through completion, and providing insightful business reporting to guide strategic decision-making.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Development & Portfolio Transform. Manager
BAT
10.2024 - Current
- Lead product development and optimization, ensuring cost efficiency and complexity reduction across the portfolio.
- Drive innovation and growth opportunities through new product development, modifications, and market insights.
- Manage end-to-end project ideation and execution, collaborating cross-functionally to deliver solutions aligned with consumer needs and business strategy.
- Oversee portfolio management, balancing cost optimization with strategic innovation.
Product Development Manager- ESA
BAT
08.2020 - 09.2024
- Manage deployment and maintenance of the FMC product portfolio, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
- Lead market insights gathering and portfolio analysis to drive innovation and opportunity identification.
- Develop winning product solutions that meet quality, compliance, and regulatory standards.
- Ensure on-time, in-full (OTIF) project delivery within budget.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to align product development with consumer needs, manufacturing capabilities, and strategic goals.
Product & Process Technologist- Chocolates
Nestle
10.2014 - 07.2020
- Led I&R projects from concept to post-launch, ensuring compliance with Nestlé standards and regulations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize processes and achieve production targets.
- Developed formulations and recipes, optimizing cost, quality, and consumer preference.
- Managed industrial trials and manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless factory implementation.
- Drove process improvements, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing product quality.
- Ensured regulatory compliance and food safety, securing necessary approvals and maintaining specifications.
Performance Acceleration Stream Leader
Nestle
06.2017 - 12.2018
- Lead efficiency improvement initiatives, ensuring OTIF project delivery and sustained performance gains.
- Implement and embed Project Management practices, fostering autonomy within the stream.
- Coach and support Project Leaders, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and bottleneck resolution.
- Drive competency building in problem-solving tools and methodologies (e.g., 6-Sigma, White Belt certification), enabling data-driven decision-making.
- Monitor KPIs and performance data, leveraging structured problem-solving techniques to sustain and improve results.
Product Development Technologist-Home Care
Unilever South Africa
01.2012 - 09.2014
- Provide technical support across Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Quality functions on product-specific elements.
- Lead and manage R&D aspects of innovation projects from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with marketing briefs and consumer insights.
- Deploy and adapt global product mixes, tailoring formulations for regional needs while maintaining consumer relevance.
- Support claims substantiation for marketing materials, as well as defending and challenging product claims in the market.
- Conduct internal product benchmarking and proactively seek cost optimization opportunities without compromising quality and performance.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Quality to address consumer complaints related to product specifications and performance.
Product Development Technologist- Laundry Products
Unilever South Africa
02.2012 - 05.2012
- Provide technical support across Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Quality functions on product-specific elements.
- Lead and manage R&D aspects of innovation projects from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with marketing briefs and consumer insights.
- Deploy and adapt global product mixes, tailoring formulations for regional needs while maintaining consumer relevance.
- Support claims substantiation for marketing materials, as well as defending and challenging product claims in the market.
- Conduct internal product benchmarking and proactively seek cost optimization opportunities without compromising quality and performance.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Quality to address consumer complaints related to product specifications and performance.
Product Development Technologist- Food Solutions
Unilever South Africa
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Lead formulation development and renovation for McDonald’s accounts, ensuring compliance with briefs, safety standards, and raw material sourcing.
- Oversee costing, prototype approvals, and product stability testing, managing factory trials and conducting dHACCP assessments.
- Drive cost-saving initiatives and value improvements (VIP), identifying opportunities for optimization and managing related costings.
- Provide factory support, coordinating material shortages, trials, and addressing quality issues to ensure smooth production.
- Ensure regulatory compliance, including artwork development, labeling, and ingredients, while supporting quality audits and resolving consumer complaints.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology (Honours)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry & Microbiology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
* Product Development
Timeline
Product Development & Portfolio Transform. Manager
BAT
10.2024 - Current
Product Development Manager- ESA
BAT
08.2020 - 09.2024
Performance Acceleration Stream Leader
Nestle
06.2017 - 12.2018
Product & Process Technologist- Chocolates
Nestle
10.2014 - 07.2020
Product Development Technologist- Laundry Products
Unilever South Africa
02.2012 - 05.2012
Product Development Technologist-Home Care
Unilever South Africa
01.2012 - 09.2014
Product Development Technologist- Food Solutions
Unilever South Africa
01.2011 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology (Honours)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry & Microbiology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -
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