Senior PD Technician

BARRY CALLEBAUT CHOCOLATE ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chocolate manufacturer in Singapore is seeking a Senior PD Technician to support product development and application trials. The role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, managing lab trials, and ensuring product quality meets customer needs. Ideal candidates have a diploma in Food Science, experience in confectionery, and knowledge of lab operations. This position offers hands-on experience in an innovation-driven environment with opportunities for skill development in formulation and digital tools.

Benefits

Hands-on experience

Exposure to innovation projects

Skill development opportunities

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in food application labs or R&D.
• Understanding of food science principles and ingredient functionality.
• Ability to document and report trial outcomes accurately.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute application trials based on requests.
• Prepare prototypes for customer engagements.
• Coordinate with teams for new requests and follow-up.

Skills

Food application knowledge

Technical documentation

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Education

Diploma in Food Science or Food Technology

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

About the Role

The Senior PD Technician is part of the Customer Innovation and Technical Services (CI & TS) SEA team, reporting directly to the Product Expert & Technical Application Lead for SEA. This role supports the application studies for both regional and global team, product development and innovation pipeline, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-centric solutions.

Core Purpose & Mission

· Purpose: To support the development and delivery of high-quality product applications that meet customer needs and market trends.

· Mission: To ensure efficient planning, execution, and reporting of application trials, enabling the CI & TS team to deliver timely, customer- focused solutions and drive innovation.

· How It’s Achieved: Managing and executing lab trials based on Salesforce requests. Preparing prototypes for customer meetings e.g. inspiration day, marketing events, and internal showcases. Supporting pilot plant scheduling and PE related tasks.

Career Value & Opportunities

This role offers:

· Hands-on experience in product development and application.

· Exposure to innovation and customer-driven projects.

· Cross-functional collaboration that builds communication and project management skills.

· Opportunities to contribute to high-impact marketing campaigns and customer engagements.

· Skill development in formulation, lab operations, digital tools (e.g., Salesforce), and technical documentation.

· A steppingstone to roles in R&D, technical sales, or product management.

Key responsibilities include

Communication Requirements

· Internal Communication: Daily interaction with Product Expert, CI & TS team, and lab users. Weekly coordination with Pilot Plant and PE. Regular updates and alignment with Marketing and Sales teams for new requests received

· External Communication: Indirectly supports customer-facing activities through Sales and Marketing. Occasionally involved in technical discussions during customer visits or events.

Scope:

· Primary Location of Work: The majority of the role is based at the Global Innovation Centre (GIC) in Singapore, where the technician performs daily application trials, planning, and reporting.

· Regional Support: Weekly support is provided to the Pilot Plant, also located in Singapore, for sample coordination, trial execution, and PE- related tasks.

· Occasional External Engagements: The role may require on-site support at customer locations or external kitchens within Southeast Asia (SEA) for: Prototype preparation and Customer co-creation sessions/ inspiration day

About You

· Academic Background: Diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, or equivalent. Alternatively, a diploma or certification from a recognized Pastry or Bakery School. Preferred Experience: Background or hands-on experience in confectionery applications is a strong advantage.

· Technical Skills: Knowledge of food formulation and application testing. Familiarity with lab equipment and pilot plant operations. Basic understanding of R&D documentation (e.g., ITEM creation, recipe formulation).

· Digital Tools: Proficiency in using Salesforce or similar request management systems. Basic skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

· Language Requirements: Proficient in English (spoken and written) for internal communication and documentation. Additional SEA regional languages are a plus for cross-cultural collaboration.

· Travel Requirements

o Estimated Travel Time: Very minimal (approximately 5–10% of total working time). Weekly travel to the pilot plant (within Singapore). Occasional travel to customer sites or external kitchens for prototype preparation and application support.

· Physical Requirements:

o Occasional light lifting of ingredients, equipment, or sample trays (within standard lab safety limits). Comfortable working in lab and pilot plant environments.

· Work Conditions:

o Primarily indoor work in lab and kitchen settings. Must always follow food safety and hygiene protocols.

· Industry & Functional Experience

o 2–4 years of hands-on experience in: Food application labs, R&D, or product development environments. Preferably within the confectionery, bakery, or dairy industries. Experience in application testing, prototype development, and lab-scale formulation is essential.

· Market Knowledge & Business Exposure

o Familiarity with Southeast Asian consumer preferences and regional product trends is a plus. Exposure to customer co-creation or technical support activities is advantageous.

· Technical Competencies (Hard Skills)

o Strong knowledge of: Food science principles and ingredient functionality. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and 5S methodology. Application testing protocols and sensory evaluation.

· Proficiency in: Salesforce or similar request management tools. Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

· Ability to: Interpret technical briefs and translate them into application trials. Document and report trial outcomes clearly and accurately.

· Collaboration & Teamwork: Works effectively with cross-functional teams including within CI & TS, QA, Marketing, and Sales. Shares knowledge and supports team goals.

· Communication Skills: Able to clearly articulate technical findings, trial outcomes, and project updates to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

· Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Quickly identifies issues during trials and proposes practical, science-based solutions.

· Adaptability & Flexibility: Comfortable working in a dynamic lab environment with shifting priorities, urgent requests, and occasional customer-facing related tasks.

· Attention to Detail: Maintains high standards in lab work, documentation, and GMP/5S compliance.

· Time Management & Organization: Manages multiple trials, schedules, and reporting tasks efficiently and independently.

· Hands-on and proactive: Takes initiative in planning and executing lab work.

· Curious and innovative: Open to exploring new ideas, ingredients, and techniques.

· Customer-oriented mindset: Understands the importance of delivering value through technical excellence.

· Translating product concepts into practical applications through lab trials and prototypes.

· Confirming and validating application know-how to ensure technical feasibility and alignment with customer expectations.

· Providing critical technical input during the product development process, enabling faster and more accurate formulation decisions.

This role operates in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment, where cross-functional collaboration and responsiveness to customer needs are essential