Remote Product Development Scientist - FMCG

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an innovative and experienced Remote Product Development Scientist to join the R&D team. This fully remote role in South Africa covers ideation, formulation, testing, scale-up, and commercialization of new FMCG products.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s or PhD in a related field, 5+ years in FMCG product development, and strong formulation, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with proven remote collaboration ability.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years hands-on FMCG product development experience.
• Proven track record of launching products to market.
• Strong formulation science and processing knowledge for FMCG.
• Knowledge of HACCP and GFSI food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new FMCG products from concept to commercialization.
• Formulate and optimize recipes and processes through research and experiments.
• Perform sensory evaluations, stability, and shelf-life studies.
• Analyze data to guide product development decisions.
• Collaborate with marketing, regulatory, and manufacturing for successful launches.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during development and scale-up.
• Stay updated on FMCG trends and consumer insights.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Prepare technical documentation and presentations for stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes.

Skills

Analytical techniques

Data analysis

Problem solving

Remote collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is seeking an innovative and experienced Remote Product Development Scientist to join their dedicated research and development team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere in South Africa . You will be at the forefront of creating and refining new products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and consumer appeal within the competitive FMCG market. Your role will involve the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and formulation to testing, scale-up, and commercialization. We are looking for a scientist with a passion for innovation, a keen eye for detail, and a deep understanding of food science, chemistry, or related disciplines relevant to FMCG product development. This remote role offers the flexibility to work from home while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, quality assurance, and manufacturing, to bring groundbreaking products to life. You will leverage advanced scientific knowledge and methodologies to drive product innovation and maintain our client's position at the cutting edge of the industry. We value creative problem-solving and a proactive approach to scientific challenges in product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new FMCG products from concept through to commercialization.
• Conduct research and experimentation to formulate and optimize product recipes and processes.
• Perform sensory evaluations, stability testing, and shelf-life studies.
• Analyze data and interpret results to guide product development decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing, to ensure successful product launches.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during product development and scale-up.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and consumer insights within the FMCG sector.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of product development processes and methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products to market.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies relevant to FMCG.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques and laboratory equipment.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and data analysis skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work in a remote team environment.
• Experience with project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GFSI) is essential.
• Must be legally eligible to work remotely in South Africa and possess a reliable home office setup.

Benefits

This remote position offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Benefits include comprehensive medical and dental coverage, a generous retirement savings plan, and performance-based incentives. Our client is committed to continuous learning and provides access to online courses, workshops, and industry conferences. You'll have the flexibility of working from home, promoting an excellent work-life balance. The opportunity to work on innovative products that reach millions of consumers is a key perk. We foster a collaborative and inclusive remote work culture. This role is ideal for a driven scientist looking to make a significant impact in the FMCG product development space from the convenience of their home, with broad reach across South Africa .