Category Development – Bakery

About the role

As a Category Development (Bakery) professional you will play a key role in expanding Astro’s private‑label Food & Beverage business. You will support the end‑to‑end creation and growth of bakery products, from ideation and testing through vendor coordination, packaging and launch.

Key responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end new product development (NPD) for bakery items, from concept and testing to vendor coordination, packaging and launch.
• Support growth initiatives to expand the bakery category and overall business.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure product availability and minimise out‑of‑stock situations.
• Monitor bakery trends, product performance and scrap rates to identify improvement opportunities.
• Conduct product and sample evaluations, including weekly panel testing.
• Work with vendors on samples, timelines, requirements and negotiate terms.
• Assist in vendor assessment and sourcing activities as needed.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams on packaging development, design and administrative requirements.
• Partner with trainers to ensure proper product knowledge before rollout.
• Manage multiple projects and stakeholders to keep development processes on track.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Accounting, Food Technology or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in category management, product development, brand management, trade marketing or similar roles.
• Experience in F&B, FMCG, retail, private‑label or bakery‑related categories is preferred.
• Proven ability to take products from idea or sample stage through commercial launch.
• Strong knowledge of bakery products and awareness of market trends.
• Commercially driven, ambitious and proactive in advancing projects.
• Excellent communication, coordination and negotiation skills.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast‑paced, changing environment.