Job description

About the Role

Chery South Africa is seeking a Product Specialist to join its product planning division at the Head Office in Queensland, Australia. This permanent position involves close collaboration with the Product Director to implement the product development strategy and deliver vehicles aligned with market demands. The role requires gathering and scrutinizing market intelligence, consumer preferences, and regulatory standards to shape vehicle configurations and positioning tailored to the South African automotive market.

Key Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive research involving end users, dealers, and industry professionals via interviews, focus groups, and on-site assessments.
Develop and maintain databases reflecting demand-side insights based on collected data.
Analyze consumer behaviors, including preferences for features, price sensitivity, and usage patterns to optimize product specifications.
Create and distribute surveys across diverse platforms such as email, websites, applications, social media, and telephone.
Monitor participation rates in surveys and devise strategies to improve engagement.
Maintain an organized repository of survey responses for continuous trend monitoring and reporting.
Assist the Product Director in securing national certifications like SABS and NRCS, ensuring adherence to emissions regulations.
Stay updated on regulatory changes and policies, including SACU automotive standards, assessing their influence on product strategies.
Monitor activities and market presence of competitors including Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford, particularly regarding pricing, features, and market share shifts.
Compile and deliver monthly analyses titled 'South African Automotive Market & Competitive Landscape Analysis' in English.
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Sales departments to convert market needs into precise technical product specifications.
Lead and assist in local vehicle validation tests, such as those assessing high-temperature/high-altitude adaptation and road durability.

Experience and Qualifications

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in automotive OEM product development or planning, with comprehensive exposure to the full vehicle lifecycle.
Deep understanding of the South African automotive sector, including competitive dynamics and regulatory frameworks, with specific examples to be provided by candidates.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Business, or a closely related discipline is preferred.

Required Skills

Exceptional analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Ability to correlate technical vehicle details such as powertrain and infotainment systems with consumer preferences and market outcomes.
Strong user empathy to build rapport with diverse stakeholders and identify latent customer needs.
Analytical rigor to interpret quantitative and qualitative data effectively for informed decision-making.
Excellent communication skills to articulate complex technical and commercial information clearly between cross-functional teams.

Additional Information

Candidates interested in this role should forward their curriculum vitae referencing PRODUCTSPEC. The role requires working onsite at the head office location in Queensland, Australia.

Contact and Support:
Roadside Assistance: +27 10 448 5388 / +27 86 150 5555
Customer Care: +27 10 448 5388 / [email protected]

Product Specialist

Where you'll work