Senior Product Development Scientist

Placements24; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Bonuses and recognition programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Product Development Scientist for a fully remote role. The candidate will drive R&D initiatives, from ideation to commercialization, focusing on innovative consumer products for the FMCG sector.

Strong formulation, ingredient science, and processing expertise are required, along with leadership of cross-functional teams in a remote setting. The role emphasizes rigorous data analysis, sensory evaluation, regulatory alignment, and scalable production processes,

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge in formulation, ingredient science and processing technologies relevant to consumer goods.
• Proven ability to lead R&D projects from concept to launch.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with rigorous scientific approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D of new FMCG products from concept to launch with emphasis on innovation and consumer appeal.
• Perform formulation development, ingredient sourcing, and stability testing in lab settings.
• Design and execute product testing protocols including sensory evaluations and panels.
• Collaborate with marketing, regulatory affairs and manufacturing in a virtual setting.
• Scale up formulations to pilot and commercial production levels ensuring reproducibility and quality.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during development and commercialization phases.
• Stay updated on scientific advancements and industry trends relevant to product development.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and quality control procedures.
• Mentor junior scientists and technical staff in professional development.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Scientific communication

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading innovator in the FMCG space, and we are seeking a highly skilled Senior Product Development Scientist to join their fully remote team. This role is pivotal in driving the research, development, and innovation of new consumer products, ensuring they meet high-quality standards, consumer needs, and market demands. The successful candidate will leverage their scientific expertise to conceptualize, formulate, test, and scale up new product ideas from ideation to commercialization. This is an exceptional opportunity for a forward-thinking scientist to contribute to groundbreaking product innovation and shape the future of our client's product portfolio, all within a remote-first, collaborative environment. Your contributions will directly impact consumer satisfaction and market competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products from concept to launch, focusing on innovation and consumer appeal.
• Conduct extensive laboratory work, including formulation development, ingredient sourcing, and stability testing.
• Design and execute product testing protocols, including sensory evaluations and consumer panels.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing, in a virtual setting.
• Scale up laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production levels, ensuring reproducibility and quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during product development and commercialization phases.
• Stay abreast of scientific advancements, industry trends, and emerging technologies in product development.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory standards and quality control procedures.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technical staff in their professional development.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry, with a strong portfolio of successfully launched products.
• Proven expertise in formulation, ingredient science, and processing technologies relevant to consumer goods.
• Demonstrated experience in leading R&D projects from inception to completion.
• Excellent understanding of statistical analysis, experimental design, and data interpretation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a rigorous scientific approach.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical information clearly.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively and thrive in a remote team environment.
• Experience with project management tools and methodologies.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Must be comfortable working entirely remotely, with excellent self-discipline and time management.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Remote work flexibility, allowing for a better work-life balance.
• Opportunities to lead cutting-edge product innovation in the FMCG sector.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Contribute to a culture that values scientific excellence and innovation.
• Access to advanced research tools and technologies.
• Performance-based bonuses and recognition programs.