RD&A Scientist

Kerry; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global taste and nutrition company is looking for a Product Development Manager in Durban to lead and create innovative beverage solutions. This role requires expertise in beverage applications and product development, with a focus on sustainable nutrition. Candidates should have a degree in Food Technology or a related field and extensive experience in beverage and sweet technologies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience on product development in beverage technology.
• Strong understanding of different types of flavours and their applications.
• Must be adept with beverage equipment and industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new beverage applications.
• Create innovative beverage products aligned with sustainability goals.
• Provide application support to sales and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Product development experience

Knowledge of beverage flavour applications

Understanding of low-calorie sweeteners

Experience in managing internal and external relationships

Understanding of alcoholic beverages

Knowledge of flavours and thermal processes

In-depth understanding of beverage equipment

Education

Bachelor / Masters in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry or a related Applied Science

Job description

Requisition ID: 61299
Position Type: FT Probation
Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Onsite

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

Lead and support the development of innovative beverage solutions that align with Kerry’s mission to deliver sustainable nutrition and superior taste.

Key responsibilities

Product Development

• Leading the development of new beverage applications to support customers and work independently on assigned projects with minimal supervision
• Create new and innovative beverage products for beverage application, such as Alcoholic Beverages, Beer, Spirits, refreshing beverages, Functional and Nutritional beverages, Juice based, Energy Drinks, CSD or NCB with or without thermal process and preservation systems.
• Develop products utilizing our Taste and Applied Health and Nutrition Ingredients and various technologies in application and assess its stability and suitability in meeting customer needs

Product Portfolio and Collection

• Detailed understanding of the Taste portfolio relevant to the applications within the respective Beverage EUM
• Understands the collection library and able to propose collection to internal and external customers
• Provides input for the definition of Taste collection needs and gaps

Cross Function Support

• Works with various RDA technology, to evaluate product performance into beverage application.
• Links with other application groups to cross share knowledge
• Provides applications support to sales for collection promotions or tailored made products.
• Ability to work with the RDA analytical and sensory teams
• Close relation with commercial teams to help develop key customer strategy and support the engagement.
• Work together with a cross functional team to develop integrated beverage solutions across all categories

Laboratory Maintenance

• Follows Best Laboratory Practices and established procedures in relation to laboratory maintenance and stock control

Documentation of results

• Ensures all outputs are recorded according to established protocols. Documents all testing results and research notes in lab books and computer databases

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor / Masters / in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemistry or a related Applied Science
• 5+ years' experience on product development with proven record, preference for work experience in Beverage and/or sweet technologies.
• Specialized in beverage flavour applications
• Experience in managing both internal and external relationships – Commercial / Sales team, General Management, Customers
• Strong understanding of low-calorie sweeteners, modulations and nutritional beverage ingredients.
• Strong understanding of alcoholic beverages: Spirits, Beer, Soju, Cocktails, etc. their manufacturing processes (general) and key quality defects.
• Strong understanding of different types of flavours and their applications, beverage emulsions, stabilities, thermal and commercialization processes
• Strong understanding of interaction of Taste products within the food matrix and processing impact.
• Strong understanding of application and processing knowledge at customer level.
• Must have in-depth understanding of beverage equipment and other industry standards for beverage products and their processes.