Food Technologist

Exceed HR and Recruitment; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Food Technologist in Paarl. The ideal candidate will develop innovative RTE products while ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Key responsibilities include managing trials, leading product audits, and troubleshooting quality issues. The candidate must have a relevant degree and at least 5 years of industry experience in product development and food processing.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ experience in food technology or culinary arts.
• Understanding of shelf-life assessments.
• Knowledge of packaging functionality.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative and high-quality food products.
• Manage trials and maintain quality assurance documentation.
• Conduct audits to ensure consistent high quality.

Skills

Product development experience

Knowledge of food safety principles

Understanding of food processing standards

Experience with RTE products

Education

BSc Food Science or BTech Food Technology

Job description

Food Technologist position available in Paarl.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop innovative, high-quality products that align with brand values of quality, freshness, innovation, inspiration, food safety, and value.
• Lead recipe development for RTE products.
• Manage kitchen and factory trials, including documentation and chemical analysis.
• Prepare and maintain quality assurance documentation, such as process flows and product specifications for new products.
• Lead product and process audits to improve existing products and ensure consistent high quality.
• Conduct shelf-life assessments and implement findings (microbially and organoleptically).
• Source and approve raw materials according to specifications for new ingredients.
• Troubleshoot quality issues and perform root-cause analyses with the quality team when recipe changes are required.
• Uphold international food manufacturing and processing standards, applying knowledge and experience of cutting-edge equipment and processing technology.

Requirements:

• BSc Food Science, BTech Food Technology, or a Culinary Arts qualification with 5–8 years’ experience (RTE product experience advantageous).
• Proven, relevant industry experience and knowledge across a wide range of RTE products.
• Proven experience in product development, including both kitchen and factory trials.
• Understanding of high- and low-risk food processing and effective segregation practices.
• Experience in driving product improvements.
• Experience in implementing process improvements within a factory environment.
• Understanding of critical control factors and chemical analysis to ensure food products are maintained in their optimum state.
• Working knowledge of packaging functionality and applications.
• Knowledge of food safety principles and practices.