Product Development Scientist - FMCG

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development

Innovative projects

Collaborative team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a talented Product Development Scientist to join its FMCG team and drive new food and beverage concepts from idea to launch in a fully remote capacity. You will research, formulate, conduct sensory evaluations, and ensure quality and safety across the development lifecycle.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Food Science (or related field) with 3–5 years of product development experience in FMCG, strong food chemistry knowledge, and excellent remote

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in product development within FMCG food/bev industry.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, formulation techniques, and processing methods.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and statistical analysis.
• Excellent research, problem-solving, and remote collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop new product formulations for food and beverage categories based on market research and consumer insights.
• Conduct laboratory experiments, pilot plant trials, and scale-up activities for new product introductions.
• Evaluate product quality, stability, and sensory attributes through rigorous testing and analysis.
• Collaborate with marketing, regulatory, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Maintain accurate documentation of research, development processes, and product specifications.

Skills

Food science expertise

Formulation techniques

Sensory evaluation

Statistical analysis

Remote collaboration

Research skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science or related

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented and innovative Product Development Scientist to join their forward-thinking FMCG team, operating remotely. This role is key to conceptualizing, developing, and launching new food and beverage products that meet consumer needs and market trends. You will conduct research, formulate new products, conduct sensory evaluations, and ensure product quality and safety throughout the development lifecycle. The ideal candidate is a passionate food scientist with a creative flair, strong technical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a virtual capacity to bring exciting new products to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop new product formulations for food and beverage categories based on market research and consumer insights.
• Conduct laboratory experiments, pilot plant trials, and scale-up activities for new product introductions.
• Evaluate product quality, stability, and sensory attributes through rigorous testing and analysis.
• Collaborate with marketing, regulatory, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Maintain accurate documentation of research, development processes, and product specifications.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG food or beverage industry.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, formulation techniques, and food processing methods.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and statistical analysis.
• Excellent research, problem-solving, and communication skills for remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote work opportunity, fostering flexibility and autonomy.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and exciting new product development projects.
• Support for continuous professional development and learning.
• A dynamic and collaborative team environment focused on innovation.