Product Development Scientist - Food

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Medical aid

Pension plan

Training & development

Modern labs

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Product Development Scientist to join its R&D team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. You will conceptualize, formulate, test, and scale new food products, collaborating with marketing, operations, and QA to align with market trends and safety standards.

The role demands a strong background in food science, hands-on formulation and sensory evaluation, and a track record of launching FMCG products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years in product development within the FMCG food industry.
• Proven track record of developing and launching new food products.
• Strong knowledge of food ingredients, processing techniques, and formulation principles.
• Experience with sensory evaluation methodologies and statistical analysis.
• Familiarity with food safety standards (HACCP, GMP) and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new food products, from concept generation to commercialization.
• Formulate new product recipes and optimize existing formulations for taste, texture, cost, and nutritional value.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and refine product attributes.
• Develop and scale-up new product processes, working closely with engineering and operations teams.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to understand consumer needs and market trends, translating insights into product concepts.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and stability testing to ensure product quality and integrity.
• Manage project timelines and budgets effectively, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope.
• Stay abreast of emerging food technologies, ingredients, and industry best practices.

Skills

Food science

Product formulation

Sensory evaluation

Statistical analysis

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science/Technology/Chemistry

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the FMCG food sector, is seeking a highly skilled and creative Product Development Scientist to join their R&D team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This role is critical for conceptualizing, developing, and launching new food products that meet consumer demands and align with market trends. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background in food science or a related discipline, combined with hands-on experience in product formulation, sensory evaluation, and process optimization. You will be instrumental in driving the innovation pipeline, from initial ideation through to pilot plant trials and full-scale production. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the creation of exciting new food products in a stimulating environment. The role requires a passion for food, a meticulous approach to research, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and quality assurance. Based in the scenic Stellenbosch area, this role offers a unique blend of scientific challenge and creative opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new food products, from concept generation to commercialization.
• Formulate new product recipes and optimize existing formulations for taste, texture, cost, and nutritional value.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and refine product attributes.
• Develop and scale-up new product processes, working closely with engineering and operations teams.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to understand consumer needs and market trends, translating insights into product concepts.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and stability testing to ensure product quality and integrity.
• Manage project timelines and budgets effectively, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope.
• Stay abreast of emerging food technologies, ingredients, and industry best practices.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG food industry.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching new food products.
• Strong knowledge of food ingredients, processing techniques, and formulation principles.
• Experience with sensory evaluation methodologies and statistical analysis.
• Familiarity with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP) and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Stellenbosch, Western Cape .

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R .
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid.
• Pension fund contribution.
• Opportunities for advanced training and professional development.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and cutting-edge R&D equipment.
• Work on innovative and exciting new food products.
• A collaborative and science-driven work culture.