Product Development Scientist - Food Chemistry (FMCG)

Placements24; Kimberley; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a leader in the FMCG sector to hire a Product Development Scientist with expertise in Food Chemistry for Kimberley. The role covers concept generation, formulation, testing, scale-up, and ensuring product quality and safety within an innovative R&D team.

You will lead lab-scale research, develop analytical methods, evaluate ingredients and products for regulatory compliance, collaborate cross-functionally, and help transfer technology to manufacturing while advancing

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on food product development experience in FMCG.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new food products from ideation to commercialization focusing on flavor, texture, nutrition, and shelf-life.
• Conduct lab-scale research, formulation development, and sensory evaluations.
• Analyze ingredients and finished products for quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with marketing, R&D, manufacturing and QA.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during development and scale-up.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for product testing.
• Stay updated on scientific advancements and market trends.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations on projects.
• Assist in technology transfer to manufacturing for full-scale production.
• Ensure adherence to food safety regulations and company quality standards.

Skills

Food chemistry

Product development

Regulatory compliance

Analytical methods

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Lab techniques

Education

Master's degree in Food Science or related

PhD in Food Science or related

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is seeking a talented Product Development Scientist with expertise in Food Chemistry to join their innovative research and development team. This role, based in Kimberley, Northern Cape , is crucial for creating and refining new food products that meet consumer demands and market trends. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of product development, from concept generation and formulation to testing, scale-up, and ensuring product quality and safety. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the creation of exciting new food products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new food products from ideation through to commercialization, focusing on flavor, texture, nutrition, and shelf-life.
• Conduct laboratory-scale research, formulation development, and sensory evaluations.
• Analyze ingredients and finished products for quality, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during product development and scale-up processes.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for product testing and characterization.
• Stay abreast of scientific advancements, market trends, and consumer preferences in the food industry.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations on product development projects.
• Assist in the transfer of technology and processes to manufacturing for full-scale production.
• Ensure all product development activities adhere to food safety regulations and company quality standards.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in food product development within the FMCG sector.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
• Proven experience in formulation development, product testing, and scale-up.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP) and quality control principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Proficiency in laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Kimberley, Northern Cape .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience, including potential performance bonuses. Comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits are provided. Excellent opportunities for professional development, further training, and career advancement within a leading FMCG research and development department are available. Join an innovative team and contribute to exciting new product launches in the Kimberley area.