Product Development Scientist - FMCG Food

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Scientist for its FMCG client based in Kimberley, Northern Cape. You will lead development from concept to commercialization, conduct lab-scale formulation and sensory evaluations, and collaborate with marketing, R&D, and operations to define specifications and scale processes.

The role requires a strong background in food science, at least 5 years in FMCG product development, and a passion for culinary innovation, with a focus on safety, shelf-life,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years hands-on FMCG product development experience.
• Proven ability to develop innovative and commercially viable food products.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, and processing techniques.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and QC procedures.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills; willingness to relocate to Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of new FMCG food products from concept to commercialization.
• Conduct lab-scale product development, formulation, and sensory evaluations.
• Collaborate with marketing, R&D, and operations to define product specifications and scale-up.
• Perform shelf-life studies and stability testing to ensure product quality and safety.
• Research and evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods relevant to food product development.
• Troubleshoot product-related issues during development and manufacturing phases.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Prepare technical documentation, including formulation details, process descriptions, and trial reports.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitor product innovations.

Skills

Food science

Product development

Sensory evaluation

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Food science degree

Tools

MS Office

Scientific software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking an innovative and experienced Product Development Scientist to join their dedicated R&D team. This role, based in Kimberley, Northern Cape, is central to the creation and refinement of new food products that meet consumer needs and market trends. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background in food science or a related discipline, extensive experience in product development within the FMCG food industry, and a passion for culinary innovation. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of delicious and high-quality food products for a respected company operating in Kimberley.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of new FMCG food products from concept to commercialization.
• Conduct laboratory-scale product development, formulation, and sensory evaluations.
• Collaborate with marketing, R&D, and operations teams to define product specifications and ensure successful scale-up.
• Perform shelf-life studies and stability testing to ensure product quality and safety.
• Research and evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods relevant to food product development.
• Troubleshoot product-related issues during development and manufacturing phases.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Prepare technical documentation, including formulation details, process descriptions, and trial reports.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitor product innovations in the food sector.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG food industry.
• Proven ability to develop innovative and commercially viable food products.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, and processing techniques.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and quality control procedures.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and relevant scientific software.
• Strong communication, presentation, and team collaboration skills.
• Must have a passion for food and innovation.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• You will have the opportunity to work with a leading FMCG company, contribute to the innovation of popular food products, and grow your career in product development within a collaborative environment in Kimberley, Northern Cape.