FMCG Product Innovator & Lab-to-Launch Scientist

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 750,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Advanced lab facilities

Innovative work culture

Job summary

Placements24 has partnered with a prominent FMCG leader to recruit a Product Development Scientist for the Upington, Northern Cape team. The role focuses on creating and enhancing consumer-friendly product lines, ensuring quality, regulatory compliance, and successful market launches.

The candidate will conduct rigorous research, formulate new products, and guide transitions from lab concepts to commercial production, collaborating with Marketing, Operations, and QA to deliver innovative,

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 3–5 years of product development experience in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, food chemistry, and processing technologies.
• Experience with product testing methodologies, sensory evaluation, and stability studies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development activities to create innovative new products and improve existing formulations within the FMCG portfolio.
• Develop product prototypes and conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and stability testing.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, and Quality Assurance throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and internal policies.
• Scale up new product formulations from laboratory bench to pilot plant and commercial production.
• Document research findings, formulations, and processes accurately and comprehensively.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

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

Job description

Placements24 has partnered with a prominent FMCG leader to recruit a Product Development Scientist for the Upington, Northern Cape team. The role focuses on creating and enhancing consumer-friendly product lines, ensuring quality, regulatory compliance, and successful market launches.

The candidate will conduct rigorous research, formulate new products, and guide transitions from lab concepts to commercial production, collaborating with Marketing, Operations, and QA to deliver innovative,