Product Development Scientist - Fmcg Food

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Fully remote work

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Professional development allowance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Product Development Scientist to join a fully remote FMCG food product development team. You will conceptualize, develop, and launch new food products from ideation through commercialization, ensuring consumer needs, market trends, and regulatory standards are met.

You will lead benchtop experiments, pilot plant trials, and cross-functional collaboration with marketing, R&D, and operations, while staying ahead of industry trends and delivering clear

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years in FMCG food product development.
• Proven track record of launching new food products.
• In-depth knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and QA principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept to launch, including formulation and scale-up.
• Perform benchtop experiments and pilot plant trials to optimize formulations.
• Evaluate raw materials for new products focusing on quality and cost.
• Collaborate with marketing, R&D, and operations for successful integration.
• Stay updated on food science trends and competitor innovations.
• Prepare technical documentation and manufacturing instructions.

Skills

Food science

Product development

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science or related

Job description

Our client is seeking an innovative and skilled Product Development Scientist to join their dynamic FMCG food product development team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise in food science and product innovation from anywhere. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and launching new food products from ideation through to commercialization, ensuring they meet consumer needs, market trends, and regulatory standards. This role is perfect for a scientifically minded individual passionate about creating exciting new food experiences within the competitive FMCG landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the product development process from concept generation to final product launch, including formulation, testing, and scale-up.
• Conduct benchtop experiments and pilot plant trials to optimize product formulations and processing parameters.
• Evaluate raw materials and ingredients for use in new product development, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, R&D, and operations, to ensure successful product integration.
• Stay abreast of emerging food science technologies, consumer trends, and competitor product innovations.
• Prepare technical documentation, including product specifications and manufacturing instructions.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in product development within the FMCG food industry.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new food products.
• In-depth knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and food processing techniques.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and quality assurance principles.
• Excellent project management and communication skills, suitable for remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Fully remote work flexibility, allowing for a great work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous allowance for professional development, conferences, and training.
• Opportunity to drive innovation in the FMCG food sector.