Product Development Specialist - FMCG

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development

Annual bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Specialist to drive the creation of new and improved FMCG products in Welkom. This hybrid role blends remote research and in-person collaboration with R&D, marketing and manufacturing teams to manage the product development lifecycle from ideation through to launch.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry or a related field and has at least five years in FMCG product development, with proven formulation, process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Proven experience in formulation, process development, and product testing.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and quality control principles.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyze technical data and translate it into commercially viable product concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, research, and development of new FMCG products, aligning with market trends and company strategy.
• Manage the entire product development lifecycle, including concept generation, formulation, prototyping, and sensory testing.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful product scale-up and commercialization.
• Conduct market analysis and competitor benchmarking to identify product gaps and opportunities.
• Prepare detailed product specifications, regulatory documentation, and costings.
• Support marketing teams with product information and launch materials.

Skills

Product development

Formulation

Sensory testing

Quality control

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an innovative and detail-oriented Product Development Specialist to drive the creation of new and improved products within the FMCG sector in Welkom. This hybrid role allows for a dynamic work environment, combining remote research and analysis with in-person collaboration with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing teams. You will be responsible for managing the product development lifecycle from ideation through to launch, ensuring products meet consumer needs and market demands. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of food science or related fields and a passion for bringing exciting new products to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, research, and development of new FMCG products, aligning with market trends and company strategy.
• Manage the entire product development lifecycle, including concept generation, formulation, prototyping, and sensory testing.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful product scale-up and commercialization.
• Conduct market analysis and competitor benchmarking to identify product gaps and opportunities.
• Prepare detailed product specifications, regulatory documentation, and costings.
• Support marketing teams with product information and launch materials.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Proven experience in product formulation, process development, and product testing.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and quality control principles.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyze technical data and translate it into commercially viable product concepts.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for annual bonuses.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and collaboration.
• Contribution towards medical aid and a provident fund.
• Access to professional development and training programs.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and exciting new products in the FMCG space.