FMCG Product Development Scientist — Innovate & Scale

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Product Development Scientist to join its R&D team in Pretoria. You will conceptualize, develop, and launch new FMCG products from ideation to commercialization, ensuring consumer needs and regulatory compliance are met.

The role requires a strong scientific background, creativity, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Collaboration with marketing, regulatory, and manufacturing teams is essential for successful launches.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development, preferably in the FMCG industry.
• Proven ability to formulate and develop new products, with a strong understanding of ingredient functionality and processing techniques.
• Experience with laboratory equipment, analytical techniques, and scale-up processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills, with knowledge of regulatory requirements relevant to consumer products.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute experiments for the development of new FMCG products, including formulation, testing, and optimization.
• Conduct detailed research into raw materials, ingredients, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Scale-up laboratory formulations to pilot plant and commercial production, ensuring process feasibility and quality.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Perform stability, efficacy, and safety testing of new and existing products.
• Document all research findings, experimental procedures, and results in compliance with industry standards and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Skills

Project management

Creativity

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry / Food Science / Chemical Engineering

PhD (preferred)

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Scale-up processes

Analytical techniques

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Product Development Scientist to join its R&D team in Pretoria. You will conceptualize, develop, and launch new FMCG products from ideation to commercialization, ensuring consumer needs and regulatory compliance are met.

The role requires a strong scientific background, creativity, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Collaboration with marketing, regulatory, and manufacturing teams is essential for successful launches.