Innovative FMCG Product Development Scientist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance incentives

Health & retirement benefits

State-of-the-art facilities

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a seasoned Product Development Scientist to drive new FMCG products from concept through commercialization. You will formulate recipes, optimize processes, and run lab and pilot-scale tests while partnering with marketing, QA, and manufacturing to ensure quality, safety, and cost efficiency.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, technical troubleshooting, and scale-up expertise, offering access to advanced facilities and a collaborative R&D culture.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in product development, particularly within the FMCG industry.
• Strong knowledge of formulation science, product testing methodologies, and process scale-up.
• Experience with regulatory requirements for food and consumer products.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.
• Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products from concept to commercialization.
• Formulate and optimize product recipes and processes, ensuring quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to test product viability and scalability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, quality assurance, and manufacturing.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with relevant regulatory standards and company policies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges that arise during product development and scale-up.

Skills

Product development

FMCG

Formulation science

Scale-up

Lab testing

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

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

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a seasoned Product Development Scientist to drive new FMCG products from concept through commercialization. You will formulate recipes, optimize processes, and run lab and pilot-scale tests while partnering with marketing, QA, and manufacturing to ensure quality, safety, and cost efficiency.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, technical troubleshooting, and scale-up expertise, offering access to advanced facilities and a collaborative R&D culture.