New Product Development Technologist

Crayon Technologies Ltd; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A food technology company is seeking an NPD Technologist in Durban, South Africa, to lead product development from concept to launch. The role involves reformulating products, conducting trials, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Candidates should have a diploma or degree in a relevant field and 3-5 years of experience in food manufacturing, preferably in FMCG. This position offers an opportunity to drive innovation in product offerings.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in food manufacturing, preferably FMCG, with product development exposure.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Experience with fats, oils, and related edible products is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development projects from concept ideation to commercial launch.
• Reformulate and optimize existing products to enhance quality, nutritional value, and cost efficiency.
• Conduct lab-scale and pilot-scale trials to validate product formulations and processes.
• Collaborate with production, quality, procurement, and marketing teams for smooth product development and launch.
• Maintain technical documentation, specifications, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FSSC, HACCP, Codex).
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify trends and opportunities for innovation.
• Liaise with suppliers to source raw materials and packaging solutions for new products.

Skills

Product development

Food safety regulations

Market analysis

Collaboration

Education

Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Biotechnology

Job description

Note: This role is for one of our clients. While we do track apply clicks, you’ll need to complete the quick steps on Crayon for your application to be considered.

The NPD Technologist plays a critical role in driving product innovation by leading the development of new products and enhancing existing ones. This role involves working closely with various teams to ensure new products meet quality and safety standards while aligning with market demands. The technologist will conduct trials, manage technical documentation, and monitor compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring successful product launches.

What you’ll do

• Lead new product development projects from concept ideation to commercial launch
• Reformulate and optimize existing products to enhance quality, nutritional value, and cost efficiency
• Conduct lab-scale and pilot-scale trials to validate product formulations and processes
• Collaborate with production, quality, procurement, and marketing teams for smooth product development and launch
• Maintain technical documentation, specifications, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (FSSC, HACCP, Codex)
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify trends and opportunities for innovation
• Liaise with suppliers to source raw materials and packaging solutions for new products

What you’ll need

• Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Biotechnology, or related field
• 3-5 years experience in food manufacturing, preferably FMCG, with product development exposure
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and quality standards
• Experience with fats, oils, and related edible products is an advantage