Product Development Scientist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary and bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Scientist to join the R&D team in Mahikeng, SA. You will drive ideation, formulation, and testing of new FMCG products, guiding concepts from concept to commercialization and ensuring market relevance, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate across marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory functions, leveraging trends in food science to create innovative consumer products while balancing cost, scale-up, and timeliness objectives.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in product development, preferably in FMCG food and beverage industry.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing techniques.
• Experience with formulation development, pilot plant trials, and scale-up processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products, from ideation through to commercialization.
• Formulate and test new product concepts, conducting sensory evaluation and shelf-life studies.
• Optimize existing product formulations to improve quality, reduce costs, or meet new regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in the food and beverage industry and identify opportunities for innovation.

Skills

Food chemistry

Ingredient functionality

Processing techniques

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Project management

Education

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

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an innovative and technically skilled Product Development Scientist to join their R&D team in Mahikeng . This role focuses on the conceptualization, development, and launch of new products within the FMCG sector, with a particular emphasis on food and beverage innovation. You will conduct research, formulate new products, optimize existing formulations, and ensure products meet market needs, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate has a strong scientific background, a passion for food science and consumer trends, and the ability to translate creative ideas into commercially viable products, contributing to the company's success through pioneering new FMCG offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products , from ideation through to commercialization.
• Formulate and test new product concepts, conducting sensory evaluation and shelf-life studies.
• Optimize existing product formulations to improve quality, reduce costs, or meet new regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in the food and beverage industry and identify opportunities for innovation.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in product development, preferably in the FMCG food and beverage industry .
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing techniques.
• Experience with formulation development, pilot plant trials, and scale-up processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Hybrid work model for a flexible work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Support for professional development, including conferences and training.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and innovative consumer products .