New Product Development (Npd) Manager - Spices/Sauces

Findojobs South Africa; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading spice solutions provider in Gauteng is seeking a knowledgeable individual to lead new product development for spice blends and sauces tailored for the meat industry. The successful candidate will manage key accounts, formulate new recipes, and ensure compliance with food safety standards. A relevant qualification in food science and experience in product development, especially with spices, are essential. The salary package is negotiable based on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in NPD or innovation applications role in spices and sauces.
• Ability to take customer briefs and develop creative solutions.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, ideally in meat and poultry.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to develop new spice blends and sauces.
• Manage key accounts and drive projects in the savoury/meat processing industry.
• Formulate and test new recipes to meet requirements.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot product issues at customer sites.

Skills

Formulation skills

Sensory evaluation

Customer brief development

Flavour matching

Knowledge of food safety regulations

Education

Relevant qualification in food science or technology

Job description

Minimum requirements for the role :

• A relevant qualification in food science or food technology is preferred for this role.
• Previous experience having worked in an NPD or innovation / applications role specifically in spices, spice blends, and savoury sauces is essential for the role.
• Previous experience having worked with flavour houses and ingredient suppliers is essential for the role.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices (ideally in the meat and poultry industry) is preferred.
• The successful candidate must have formulation and sensory evaluation skills.
• Must be able to take customer briefs, develop creative solutions, and make necessary adjustments to meet customer expectations.
• Experience in developing products with a keen understanding of flavours and the ability to create and match flavours in spices are essential.

The successful candidate will be responsible for :

Leading a team, working closely with customers to develop new spice blends, sauces and savoury applications tailored for the meat industry.

Managing large well known key accounts and working closely with the R&D team with regards to new product development and technical applications, driving new and existing projects within the savoury / meat processing industry.

Managing the company's large key accounts to ensure that they receive the correct savoury ingredients to enhance their product range.

Formulating and testing new recipes, ensuring they meet functional, sensory, and commercial requirements.

Optimising existing products by improving formulations, reducing costs, and enhancing taste, texture, and stability.

Conducting sensory evaluations and product trials to ensure quality and consistency.

Overseeing the pilot production and scale-up of new products from laboratory trials to full-scale manufacturing.

Working on various large projects focusing on developing and enhancing spice packs, spices, savoury sauce, brines, marinades, working with breadings, crumbings, coatings etc.

Ensuring compliance with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and company quality guidelines.

Initiating technical solutions to product issues and troubleshooting at customer sites by conducting factory trials.

Formulating ideas and strategies to improve on problem areas with regards to certain savoury ingredient products.

Assisting customers with new requirements in order to enhance their business.

Salary package, including benefits, is highly negotiable depending on experience gained.