Product Development Scientist - Food & Beverage

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybride; ZAR 520 000 - 860 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus

Medical aid and retirement provisions

Hybrid role with remote flexibility

Professional development opportunities

Access to R&D facilities

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Scientist to join its research and development team in Polokwane, Limpopo. This hybrid role combines in-office collaboration with remote flexibility to create innovative food and beverage products that meet market needs and consumer trends.

You will work with marketing, culinary, and manufacturing teams to bring ideas from the lab to market, ensuring quality, safety, and commercial viability.

Qualifications

• Master's/PhD in Food Science or related discipline required.
• 3–5 years of product development experience in the food & beverage industry.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry and sensory science.
• Experience with HACCP/ISO food safety standards.

Responsabilités

• Conceptualize, develop, and optimize new food and beverage products from ideation to commercialization.
• Conduct laboratory-scale research, formulation development, and sensory evaluations.
• Analyze ingredients, product stability, and processing parameters for quality and shelf-life.
• Collaborate with marketing, culinary, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing for successful launches.
• Scale up formulations from laboratory to pilot plant and production; troubleshoot issues.
• Perform shelf-life studies and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Connaissances

Analytical skills

Team player

Problem solving

Communication skills

Formation

Master's or PhD in Food Science

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the FMCG sector, is seeking a talented and innovative Product Development Scientist to join their research and development team. This hybrid role, based in Polokwane, Limpopo , offers a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing you to contribute to cutting-edge product innovation. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and launching new food and beverage products that meet consumer needs and market trends. This role requires a strong scientific background, extensive knowledge of food science principles, and a passion for creating exciting new products. You will work closely with marketing, culinary, and manufacturing teams to bring innovative ideas from the lab to the market, ensuring quality, safety, and commercial viability. This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact on product portfolios within a dynamic and forward-thinking company in Polokwane .

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and optimize new food and beverage products from ideation through to commercialization.
• Conduct laboratory-scale research, formulation development, and sensory evaluations to create innovative and appealing products.
• Analyze ingredients, product stability, and processing parameters to ensure product quality, safety, and shelf-life.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, culinary, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing, to ensure successful product launches.
• Scale-up formulations from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial production, troubleshooting any issues that arise.
• Conduct market research and stay abreast of emerging food and beverage trends, consumer insights, and competitor activities.
• Prepare product specifications, technical documentation, and regulatory submissions as required.
• Perform shelf-life studies and ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulations.
• Manage project timelines and budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Contribute to innovation pipeline by generating new product ideas and concepts.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in product development within the food and beverage industry, preferably in the FMCG sector .
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, sensory science, and food processing technologies.
• Proven experience in formulation development and product optimization.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO) and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement contributions.
• This hybrid role provides flexibility with a balance of remote work and in-office collaboration.
• Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development and the chance to work on innovative projects in a supportive team environment in Polokwane .
• Access to state-of-the-art R&D facilities is provided.