Applications Group Manager

Role overview

Nestlé Zimbabwe is seeking an Applications Group Manager to join its Harare Factory in Zimbabwe. The role focuses on driving product innovation and renovation, improving manufacturing performance, ensuring product and process compliance, and building the technical capability of production teams. The position combines product development expertise with operational leadership in a factory setting.

Core focus areas

This position is responsible for guiding application activities across innovation and renovation projects so that products are delivered to the expected quality, cost, and timeline. It also involves introducing new technologies, streamlining processes, raising operational efficiency, lowering cost of goods sold and production expense, and supporting compliance for newly developed, modified, and existing products.

I&R excellence

• Direct and coordinate the Applications Group team to deliver innovation and renovation work according to the agreed pipeline and priorities, in collaboration with cross-functional teams and the business unit.
• Make sure project delivery stays on schedule, meets quality expectations, and achieves cost targets.
• Support new product development and introduction briefs together with Marketing and the I&R Manager.
• Maintain complete project records in line with NPDI and NQMS requirements.

Manufacturing excellence

• Guide the team in carrying out process improvements that make operations more efficient and cost-effective, including simplifying complexity and aligning recipes and materials.
• Provide factory support for commissioning new production lines, improving existing lines, and training operators.

People development

• Plan and run a technical training programme with the Factory Trainer through annual workshops and seminars.
• Create succession plans for the Applications Group team.
• Help strengthen operator capability across all production equipment.

Quality and compliance

• Ensure all team activities follow internal standards, procedures, and working methods.
• Keep master data accurate and up to date, including specifications, BOMs, SAP-RM records, nutritional information, and ingredient lists.

Qualification and experience

The preferred candidate should hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Process Engineering, or Chemical Engineering. A minimum of 5 to 8 years of experience in product development or Research & Development is required, along with strong knowledge of the relevant product category and its technologies. Exposure to multiple R&D and technical functions, Nestlé product technology centres, and factory environments will be an advantage.

Additional information

Application closing date: 6 July 2026.