Senior Food Technologist

Placements24; Windsor Park (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, Eastern Cape, seeks a Senior Food Technologist to drive product development from concept to commercialization within an innovative R&D team.

You will leverage your food science expertise to formulate, scale-up, and test new products; ensure regulatory compliance; mentor junior staff; and collaborate across marketing, procurement, production and QA to deliver market-ready innovations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in food technology, product development or R&D in food manufacturing.
• Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or related field.
• Proven track record of developing and launching new food products.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, processing and QC systems.
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs and food safety standards.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new food products from concept to scale-up and launch.
• Conduct formulation, ingredient selection and process optimization.
• Perform lab-scale trials and pilot plant runs to test products.
• Analyze stability, shelf-life and sensory attributes; recommend improvements.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with marketing, procurement, production and QA.
• Develop specifications, manufacturing instructions and QC parameters.
• Mentor junior technologists and technicians in the R&D department.

Skills

Food science

R&D/product development

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Education

BSc Food Science

MSc Food Science

Chemistry degree

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading food manufacturer based in the coastal city of **East London, Eastern Cape**, is seeking an experienced Senior Food Technologist to join their innovative product development team. This role is critical in driving the creation and refinement of new food products from concept to commercialization. You will leverage your scientific knowledge and culinary understanding to develop products that meet market demands, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in food science, excellent problem-solving skills, and a passion for innovation within the food industry. Working within a dynamic R&D environment in **East London**, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our client's product portfolio and contributing to their continued success in the **Eastern Cape** market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new food products from concept generation through to scale-up and commercial launch.
• Conduct research and development activities, including formulation, ingredient selection, and process optimization.
• Perform laboratory-scale trials and pilot plant runs to test and validate new products and processes.
• Analyze product stability, shelf-life, and sensory attributes; make recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and nutritional requirements.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, procurement, production, and quality assurance.
• Develop detailed product specifications, manufacturing instructions, and quality control parameters.
• Troubleshoot production issues related to new product implementation.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and competitor product developments.
• Mentor and guide junior technologists and technicians within the R&D department.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in food technology, product development, or R&D within the food manufacturing industry.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching new food products.
• In-depth knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, processing technologies, and quality control systems.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMPs) and relevant industry standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and data analysis tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate across departments.
• Experience with product scale-up and commercialization processes is essential for this role in **East London, Eastern Cape**.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and qualifications, for this key role in **East London**. You will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated R&D team, contributing to the innovation pipeline of a respected food manufacturer. Enjoy opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the company.

• medical aid contributions
• a provident fund
• and a supportive work environment focused on scientific excellence and product quality in the **Eastern Cape**.