FMCG Product Development Scientist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Lab facilities

Professional development

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Creative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled FMCG Product Development Scientist to join our Stellenbosch R&D team. You will lead formulation development, bench top studies, and scale-up to commercial launch, delivering consumer-centric solutions for the Western Cape region.

You will work closely with marketing, operations, and QA to ensure product integrity, stability, and market competitiveness, while staying ahead of industry trends and new technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, process engineering, and product testing methodologies.
• Excellent laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation.
• Proficiency in project management and a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new FMCG products from ideation through to scale-up and commercial launch.
• Conduct formulation research, benchtop development, and pilot plant trials to optimize product characteristics.
• Perform sensory evaluation, stability testing, and quality assurance assessments to ensure product integrity.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including marketing and manufacturing, to align product development with business objectives.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and competitive product innovations to drive product pipeline growth.

Skills

Formulation science

Process engineering

Product testing

Laboratory skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering

Tools

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Our client is seeking a skilled and innovative FMCG Product Development Scientist to join their research and development team based in Stellenbosch. You will be at the forefront of creating new and improved products for the fast-moving consumer goods market, focusing on delivering high-quality, consumer-centric solutions. This role involves hands‑on laboratory work, formulation development, and process optimization to bring exciting new products from concept to commercialization. You will collaborate closely with marketing, operations, and quality assurance teams to ensure product success and market competitiveness within the Western Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new FMCG products from ideation through to scale-up and commercial launch.
• Conduct formulation research, benchtop development, and pilot plant trials to optimize product characteristics.
• Perform sensory evaluation, stability testing, and quality assurance assessments to ensure product integrity.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including marketing and manufacturing, to align product development with business objectives.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and competitive product innovations to drive product pipeline growth.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, process engineering, and product testing methodologies.
• Excellent laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation.
• Proficiency in project management and a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance‑related bonuses.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits.
• A creative and innovative work culture in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands.