Product Development Scientist - FMCG

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 760,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

R&D facilities access

Innovative culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington is seeking a Product Development Scientist to lead the ideation, development, and launch of new FMCG products from bench-top to scale-up. You will work in a state-of-the-art lab with cross-functional teams to translate consumer insights into market-ready innovations.

The role requires a strong science background, hands-on formulation, sensory evaluation, and regulatory awareness to ensure product success in a competitive market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3–5 years of experience in Product Development within FMCG or food & beverage.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing techniques relevant to FMCG products.
• Experience with laboratory formulation, pilot plant operations, and sensory science.
• Excellent problem solving and ability to work in a team-based environment.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements and quality standards in FMCG.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new FMCG products from bench-top formulation to pilot plant trials and scale-up.
• Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and stability testing.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Regulatory Affairs to align development with market needs.
• Research new ingredients, technologies, and processes to drive innovation.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during development and scale-up.
• Prepare technical documentation including specifications and trial reports.

Skills

Food science

Formulation

Sensory science

Problem solving

Teamwork

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Master's in Food Science/Related

Tools

Pilot plant equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned innovator in the FMCG sector, is seeking a talented and creative Product Development Scientist to join their Research & Development team in Upington. You will be instrumental in conceptualizing, developing, and launching new and improved FMCG products, from initial ideation through to commercialization. This role requires a strong scientific background, a passion for food science and innovation, and the ability to translate consumer insights into market-leading products. You will work within a state-of-the-art laboratory environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring exciting new products to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new FMCG products and the improvement of existing ones, from bench-top formulation to pilot plant trials and scale-up.
• Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and stability testing to ensure product quality and consumer acceptance.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales, and Regulatory Affairs teams to align product development with market needs and company strategy.
• Research new ingredients, technologies, and manufacturing processes to drive innovation in product development.
• Troubleshoot technical issues encountered during product development and scale-up phases.
• Prepare technical documentation, including product specifications, process descriptions, and trial reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Product Development within the FMCG or food and beverage industry.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing techniques relevant to FMCG products.
• Experience with laboratory formulation, pilot plant operations, and sensory science.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Good understanding of regulatory requirements and quality standards in the FMCG sector.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for project-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences and further education.
• Access to advanced research and development facilities.
• A creative and innovative work culture focused on bringing new ideas to market.