Product Development Technologist - FMCG

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

R&D exposure

Coastal location

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay is seeking an innovative Product Development Technologist to join their R&D team, driving new FMCG products from ideation to scale-up.

The role offers exposure across formulation, sensory testing, regulatory alignment, and cross-functional collaboration in a coastal, growing company.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in product development within FMCG or food manufacturing preferred.
• Knowledge of food chemistry, formulations, and processing technologies.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing.
• Analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Familiarity with HACCP, ISO and regulatory standards for SA foods.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop and formulate new FMCG products per specs and consumer needs.
• Conduct lab-scale trials, analyze results and optimize formulations.
• Develop testing protocols including shelf-life and sensory evaluations.
• Scale up formulations from lab to pilot and then full production.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations and QA throughout development.
• Prepare technical docs: specs, process descriptions, ingredient statements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Food Science / Food Technology / Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and detail-oriented Product Development Technologist to join their dynamic R&D team in Mossel Bay . This role is central to creating new and improved FMCG products that meet consumer demands and market trends. You will be involved in the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and formulation to testing and scaling up for production. This position offers a fantastic opportunity for a food or product scientist to contribute to exciting new product launches within a growing company located in the beautiful coastal region of Mossel Bay .

Key Responsibilities

• Research, develop, and formulate new FMCG products according to specifications, consumer needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct laboratory-scale product trials, analyze results, and optimize formulations for sensory attributes, stability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and execute product testing protocols, including shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations, and consumer testing.
• Scale up product formulations from laboratory to pilot plant and ultimately to full-scale manufacturing, ensuring process consistency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, and quality assurance, throughout the product development process.
• Prepare technical documentation, including product specifications, process descriptions, and ingredient statements.

Requirements

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven experience in product development, preferably within the FMCG or food manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, formulation techniques, and processing technologies.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Familiarity with quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO) and regulatory standards relevant to food products in Mossel Bay and South Africa.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on innovative product development projects in the FMCG sector.
• Exposure to diverse product categories and R&D challenges.
• Work in a scenic coastal location like Mossel Bay with a collaborative team.
• Professional development and training opportunities to enhance technical skills.