Product Development Scientist - Food & Beverage

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Innovative R&D environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Scientist to join a leading FMCG client in George, Western Cape. You will drive new food and beverage product development from concept through commercialization, including laboratory research, pilot trials, and process scale-up.

The role requires strong food science knowledge, creativity, and collaboration across Marketing, Procurement, Operations and QA. You will optimize formulations for taste, texture, shelf-life and cost, ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 3-5 years in product development within FMCG (food & beverage).
• Experience in formulation development, ingredient functionality, and processing techniques.
• Knowledge of HACCP/GMP and food safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new food/beverage products from concept to commercialization.
• Conduct lab research, formulation development and sensory evaluations.
• Optimize formulations for taste, texture, shelf-life, and cost.
• Plan pilot plant trials and scale-up processes for launches.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Procurement, Operations and QA.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges in development and manufacturing.
• Stay updated on food science trends and ingredients.
• Document research findings, formulations and processes.

Skills

Food Science

Formulation Development

Food Safety

Analytical Skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science

Tools

Lab Equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is actively seeking a talented and passionate Product Development Scientist to join their Research & Development team in George, Western Cape, ZA . This role is central to creating new and improved food and beverage products that delight consumers and meet market demands. You will be involved in the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization and formulation to laboratory testing, pilot plant trials, and scaling up for commercial production. The ideal candidate possesses strong scientific expertise in food science or a related field, creative problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of ingredient functionality and processing. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the innovation pipeline of a respected FMCG company, working within the scenic beauty of the Western Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new food and beverage products from concept through to commercialization.
• Conduct laboratory research, formulation development, and sensory evaluations.
• Optimize existing product formulations for improved taste, texture, shelf-life, and cost-effectiveness.
• Plan and execute pilot plant trials and scale-up processes for new product launches.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Procurement, Operations, and Quality Assurance.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during product development and manufacturing.
• Research and stay current with emerging food science trends, technologies, and ingredients.
• Document all research findings, formulations, and processes meticulously.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in product development, specifically within the food and beverage FMCG industry .
• Proven experience in formulation development, ingredient functionality, and food processing techniques.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Good communication, teamwork, and project management abilities.
• Proficiency in laboratory equipment and techniques.
• A creative mindset with a passion for developing innovative food and beverage products.
• Located in or willing to relocate to George, Western Cape, ZA .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based increases.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning in food science.
• A creative and innovative R&D environment.
• Employee discounts on company products.
• The chance to work in a beautiful location.