FMCG Product Development Scientist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 750,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Relocation assistance may be available

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative FMCG Product Development Scientist for our client in Richards Bay to lead formulation development, bench-scale trials, and product testing within a fast-moving consumer goods environment.

You will collaborate across marketing, manufacturing, and quality assurance, manage documentation, and drive successful scale-up and commercialization of new products while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product development in FMCG/food.
• Proven formulation development, ingredient sourcing and product testing experience.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, processing technologies, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize formulations for FMCG products to meet specs and quality.
• Conduct bench-scale trials and pilot plant runs to evaluate ingredients and processes.
• Perform stability testing, shelf-life studies, and sensory evaluations.
• Collaborate with marketing to translate consumer needs into development briefs.
• Work with manufacturing to ensure successful scale-up and commercialization.
• Maintain lab notebooks, reports, and technical documentation.

Skills

Product development

Formulation development

Quality assurance

Laboratory skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Scientific writing

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science/ Chemistry/ Chemical Engineering

Tools

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and detail-oriented FMCG Product Development Scientist to join their research and development team in Richards Bay . You will be instrumental in creating and improving new and existing FMCG products , focusing on quality, safety, and consumer appeal. This role involves hands-on laboratory work, formulation development, and collaborating with cross-functional teams including marketing, manufacturing, and quality assurance. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background, a creative approach to problem-solving, and a passion for innovation within the fast-moving consumer goods sector. You will contribute to bringing exciting new products to market that meet evolving consumer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize formulations for new and existing FMCG products , ensuring they meet product specifications and quality standards.
• Conduct bench-scale trials and pilot plant runs to evaluate new ingredients, processes, and product concepts.
• Perform stability testing, shelf-life studies, and sensory evaluations to assess product performance and consumer acceptance.
• Collaborate closely with the marketing team to understand consumer needs and translate them into product development briefs.
• Work with the manufacturing team to ensure successful scale-up and commercialization of new products.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, research reports, and technical documentation related to product development projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG or food industry .
• Proven experience in formulation development, ingredient sourcing, and product testing.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, processing technologies, and regulatory requirements relevant to FMCG products .
• Excellent laboratory skills, including the ability to use analytical instrumentation.
• Strong project management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement in a leading FMCG company.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.