Remote Senior Product Development Scientist - Food & Beverage Innovation

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

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the FMCG sector, is seeking an innovative and experienced Senior Product Development Scientist to drive advancements in their Food & Beverage division. This is a fully remote position, offering an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned scientist to contribute their expertise from anywhere. You will be at the forefront of conceiving, developing, and launching novel food and beverage products that resonate with consumer needs and market trends. The role involves extensive research, formulation, sensory evaluation, and scaling up from lab to production. This position is ideal for a creative, hands‑on individual passionate about food science and committed to bringing groundbreaking products to market within a dynamic and fast-paced industry. The remote nature of this role allows for global collaboration and access to top talent.

Key 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.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. 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.
• Experience in the broader FMCG sector is highly advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers an exceptional compensation package, including a competitive base salary, significant bonus potential, and comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• This fully remote position provides unparalleled flexibility and autonomy.
• Employees are encouraged to pursue continuous learning and professional growth, with access to cutting‑edge research and development resources.
• You will have the opportunity to work on exciting projects with a global impact, shaping the future of the food and beverage industry.