FMCG Product Development Scientist

Placements24; Paarl; A distancia; ZAR 600.000 - 900.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Fully remote work

Health insurance

Paid time off

Conference attendance

Home office stipend

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking an experienced FMCG Product Development Scientist to join a remote R&D team. Lead concept-to-commercialization projects, focusing on taste, quality, and consumer appeal, from anywhere in South Africa.

The ideal candidate holds a Master's or Ph.D. in a related field, with 5–7 years of hands-on FMCG development experience and a proven track record of launching new products. collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential.

Formación

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on FMCG product development experience.
• Proven track record of successfully bringing new FMCG products to market.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
• Experience with laboratory equipment, pilot plant operations, and sensory analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and scientific documentation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team setting.

Responsabilidades

• Lead development of new FMCG products from concept to commercialization, focusing on taste and consumer appeal.
• Conduct research and experimentation to formulate and optimize products, ensuring they meet specifications.
• Perform sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing for quality and safety.
• Collaborate with marketing to understand consumer trends and product requirements.
• Work with manufacturing to ensure smooth scale-up from pilot to production.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during development.
• Stay updated on scientific advancements, ingredients, and processing technologies.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Document findings, formulations, and process parameters meticulously.
• Contribute to IP development through patent applications and trade secrets.

Conocimientos

Data analysis

Scientific documentation

Problem solving

Communication

Remote teamwork

Educación

Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

Herramientas

Laboratory equipment

Pilot plant operations

Sensory analysis

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a renowned innovator in the FMCG sector , is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced FMCG Product Development Scientist to join their forward-thinking research and development team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your scientific expertise from any location. You will play a pivotal role in the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization and formulation to testing and scale-up, creating groundbreaking products that meet consumer needs and market demands. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in food science, chemistry, or a related discipline, coupled with extensive experience in product innovation within the FMCG industry. This role requires a meticulous approach to research, a passion for problem-solving, and the ability to translate scientific findings into commercially viable products. Working in a remote-first environment, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and regulatory affairs, to bring new and improved FMCG products to market efficiently and effectively. Your scientific acumen and dedication to quality will be instrumental in driving our product innovation pipeline forward, particularly for brands targeting the Paarl consumer base.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new and innovative FMCG products from concept to commercialization, focusing on taste, quality, and consumer appeal.
• Conduct rigorous research and experimentation to formulate new products and optimize existing ones, ensuring they meet defined specifications.
• Perform sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and other quality assurance procedures to guarantee product integrity and safety.
• Collaborate closely with marketing teams to understand consumer trends, market gaps, and product requirements.
• Work with manufacturing and operations teams to ensure smooth scale-up of products from pilot to full production.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges that arise during the product development process.
• Stay abreast of scientific advancements, new ingredients, and processing technologies relevant to the FMCG industry.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with relevant food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Document research findings, formulation details, and process parameters meticulously.
• Contribute to intellectual property development through patent applications and trade secret identification related to product innovation in the Paarl market.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands‑on experience in product development within the FMCG sector .
• Proven track record of successfully bringing new FMCG products to market.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
• Experience with laboratory equipment, pilot plant operations, and sensory analysis.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and scientific documentation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team setting.
• Familiarity with food safety standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, GFSI).
• A passion for innovation and a keen interest in consumer product trends within the FMCG industry .

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R , reflecting your specialized expertise.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth, attending scientific conferences, and further training.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art research and development tools and resources.
• The significant advantage of a fully remote work arrangement.
• A stimulating and innovative work environment focused on cutting‑edge product development.
• Contribution towards home office setup and internet connectivity.
• Potential for research‑related bonuses and project success incentives.