Remote Senior F&B Product Innovator & Developer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,482,000 - 2,305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Competitive compensation

Learning & development opportunities

Global impact

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Product Development Scientist for a fully remote role in the FMCG sector. You will lead conception, formulation, and scale-up of new food and beverage products that meet consumer needs, market trends, and regulatory requirements.

This hands-on, cross-functional role covers research into ingredients and processing technologies, sensory evaluation, and collaboration with marketing, R&D, and operations to deliver successful launches.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in product development within the Food & Beverage industry.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching innovative food and beverage products.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, processing technologies, and sensory science.
• Hands-on experience with formulation development, laboratory experimentation, and pilot plant operations.
• Familiarity with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP) and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Strong project management abilities and the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams in a remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for new and improved food and beverage products, from ideation and concept development through to commercialization.
• Conduct comprehensive research into ingredients, processing technologies, and consumer trends to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Develop innovative product formulations that meet defined technical specifications, sensory profiles, cost targets, and regulatory requirements.
• Plan and execute laboratory-scale product trials, pilot plant runs, and scale-up activities, collaborating with manufacturing teams.
• Oversee and conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and refine product attributes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges that arise during product development and scale-up phases.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Prepare technical documentation, including product specifications, process descriptions, and reports.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, R&D, regulatory affairs, and operations, to ensure successful product launches.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to fostering a culture of innovation and scientific excellence.

Skills

Food chemistry

Formulation development

Sensory evaluation

Project management

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science/related field

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Product Development Scientist for a fully remote role in the FMCG sector. You will lead conception, formulation, and scale-up of new food and beverage products that meet consumer needs, market trends, and regulatory requirements.

This hands-on, cross-functional role covers research into ingredients and processing technologies, sensory evaluation, and collaboration with marketing, R&D, and operations to deliver successful launches.