Product Applications Specialist

Talentsphere Pty; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food ingredients supplier in Cape Town seeks a Food Applications Specialist to develop, test, and optimise ingredient applications. The role involves collaboration with customers and teams to deliver tailored solutions and support product innovation. Candidates should have a tertiary qualification in Food Technology and relevant experience in food ingredients or related markets. The company offers a negotiable salary package depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in product applications, technical support, or product development role.
• Experience with meat systems, stabilisers, emulsifiers, flavours, and other functional ingredients.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into customer solutions.

Responsibilities

• Developing, testing, and optimising food ingredient applications.
• Conducting product application trials and delivering customer training.
• Collaborating with R&D and sales for innovative solutions.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Technical translation

MS Office proficiency

Education

Tertiary qualification in Food Technology or related Sciences

Job description

Reference : PS

RB-1A well-known supplier of food ingredients supplying the food manufacturing and meat processing industries requires the above to be responsible for developing, testing and optimising applications of food ingredients for various products within the food and meat processing industry.

This includes working closely with customers, sales teams, and R&D to demonstrate the functionality, quality and benefits of their ingredients.

The role plays a critical part in product innovation, customer training, and delivering tailored solutions that meet both technical and commercial objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Developing, testing, and optimising applications of food ingredients for various products within the food and meat processing industry while working closely with customers, sales teams, and R&D to demonstrate functionality, quality, and benefits of ingredients.
• Developing and implementing appropriate technical standards in innovation and renovation of products.
• Conducting product application trials on new products at customer sites.
• Developing new products and exploring new markets as well as delivering customer training programmes.
• Performing on‑site testing and evaluation of products at customer sites.
• Driving new product development for customers to generate new markets.
• Providing technical advice to customers on product quality.
• Working closely with the production team to assess production capacities and efficiencies to optimise operations.
• Implementing quality control and assurance systems to improve production output and extend product shelf life.
• Conducting product trials, demonstrations, and pilot plant tests at customer facilities and in‑house application kitchens/labs.
• Collaborating with R&D, sales, and technical teams to create innovative solutions that address customer needs and market trends.
• Supporting customers with technical guidance on ingredient functionality, formulation, dosage, and troubleshooting.

Minimum Requirements

• A tertiary qualification in Food Technology, or a related Sciences qualification is essential.
• Previous experience having worked in a product applications, technical support, or product development role within the food ingredients or related markets is preferred.
• Previous experience having worked with meat systems, stabilisers, emulsifiers, flavours, colours, binders, and functional ingredients is preferred.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with a practical, hands‑on approach to product trials.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into practical solutions for customers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with technical teams, production staff, and customers.
• Proficiency in MS Office is essential.

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

Package & Remuneration: Monthly