Product Development Specialist - Food & Beverage (FMCG)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Modern laboratory facilities

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Product Development Specialist for its Centurion FMCG R&D team. You will lead end-to-end development from concept to commercialization, grounded in strong food science practice.

You will collaborate with marketing, operations, and quality teams to translate consumer insights into robust formulations while ensuring regulatory compliance and shelf-life optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 4–6 years of product development experience in FMCG food/bev.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, ingredient functionality.
• Hands-on formulation, sensory analysis, and shelf-life studies.
• Familiarity with HACCP, ISO, and quality management systems.
• Excellent laboratory and record-keeping skills.
• Strong project management and collaboration abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office and cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of new food and beverage products from ideation to commercialization.
• Conduct lab-scale formulation, testing, and refinement for taste, texture, shelf-life, and nutrition.
• Collaborate with marketing to translate consumer insights into viable product concepts.
• Manage pilot plant trials and scale-up with operations and engineering.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements (HACCP, ISO).
• Source and evaluate new ingredients and suppliers, maintain material databases.
• Develop product specifications, manufacturing instructions, and QA guidelines.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to guide improvements.
• Stay informed on new technologies, ingredients, and best practices.

Skills

Lab skills

Documentation

Project management

Communication

MS Office

Education

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

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is looking for a skilled and passionate Product Development Specialist to join their dedicated research and development team. This role is pivotal in conceptualizing, formulating, and bringing new food and beverage products to market. You will work at the forefront of food science and consumer trends, ensuring our client remains competitive and at the cutting edge. The position is based in our client's state-of-the-art facility in Centurion, Gauteng . We are seeking an individual with a strong background in food technology or a related scientific discipline, combined with practical experience in product development within the FMCG industry. The ideal candidate will possess a keen understanding of ingredient functionality, processing techniques, and regulatory requirements. This role requires a hands-on approach, meticulous attention to detail, and a creative flair for developing delicious and commercially viable products that meet consumer needs and preferences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of new food and beverage products, from ideation and concept development through to commercialization.
• Conduct laboratory-scale product formulation, testing, and refinement, focusing on taste, texture, shelf-life, and nutritional profiles.
• Collaborate closely with the marketing team to translate consumer insights and market trends into product concepts.
• Manage pilot plant trials and scale-up processes, working with operations and engineering teams to ensure successful production.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, HACCP), and quality control protocols.
• Source and evaluate new ingredients and suppliers, maintaining a database of potential raw materials.
• Develop product specifications, manufacturing instructions, and quality assurance guidelines.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and inform product improvements.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, ingredients, and industry best practices in food science and product development.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in product development within the FMCG food and beverage industry .
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, ingredient functionality, and processing techniques.
• Hands-on experience with product formulation, sensory analysis, and shelf-life studies.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO).
• Excellent laboratory skills and meticulous record-keeping abilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• This is a non-remote position requiring full-time presence at the Centurion facility.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflective of experience and expertise.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and innovative FMCG products.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Contribution to a company with a strong reputation in the industry.
• Retirement fund and medical aid contributions.
• Generous annual leave.
• Located in the accessible area of Centurion, Gauteng .