Senior Product Development Scientist - FMCG

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus potential

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Product Development Scientist for our FMCG client in Welkom, Free State. Lead R&D from concept to commercialization, ensuring product quality, safety, and efficacy. You will guide formulation studies and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver market-leading products.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. or Master’s in a related field with 5+ years of hands-on FMCG product development experience and a passion for innovation in consumer goods.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years hands-on product development experience in FMCG.
• Proven track record of launching consumer products from concept to market.
• Strong understanding of formulation, materials, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D of new FMCG products from ideation to commercialization.
• Conduct formulation studies and evaluate materials and processing methods.
• Design experiments for testing, stability, and sensory analysis.
• Analyze data and prepare reports with actionable recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality, and safety standards.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, QA, and Manufacturing for launches.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Statistical analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Creative thinking

Communication

Education

Ph.D. or Master’s in Food Science/chemistry/chemical engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking a highly skilled and creative Senior Product Development Scientist . This role, based in Welkom, Free State , is essential for driving the innovation pipeline and developing new, market-leading products that meet evolving consumer demands. The Senior Product Development Scientist will lead research and development projects, from conceptualization through to commercialization, ensuring product quality, safety, and efficacy. This is an exceptional opportunity for a scientifically-minded individual to contribute significantly to product innovation and brand success within a thriving FMCG organization. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background, a deep understanding of product formulation, and a passion for creating cutting-edge consumer products in Welkom, Free State .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products, from ideation and benchtop formulation to pilot scale-up and commercial production.
• Conduct extensive product formulation studies, evaluating raw materials, ingredients, and processing techniques.
• Design and execute experimental protocols for product testing, stability studies, and sensory analysis.
• Analyze and interpret scientific data, generating comprehensive reports and recommendations.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with relevant regulatory standards, quality control procedures, and safety guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Sales, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing, to ensure successful product launches.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor product developments.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during product development and manufacturing.
• Manage project timelines and budgets effectively, ensuring timely delivery of development milestones.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through patent filings and technical publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG industry , preferably in areas such as food and beverages, personal care, or household products.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching new consumer products from concept to market.
• Strong understanding of product formulation, raw material properties, and manufacturing processes relevant to FMCG products.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques, analytical methods, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively and innovatively.
• Strong project management capabilities and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and quality assurance standards in the FMCG sector.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and scale-up processes.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with performance-based bonuses and potential for stock options.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, is provided.
• Employees benefit from a generous retirement savings plan and paid time off.
• This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development in the exciting field of FMCG innovation, based in Welkom, Free State .
• You’ll work in a state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge research equipment and collaborate with a passionate team.