Research and Innovation Technologist

Danone; Boksburg; On-site; ZAR 30 000 - 60 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate individual to join their dynamic team in product development. This role involves executing projects from prototype development through to industrial trials, ensuring quality and compliance throughout the process. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage trial schedules, and evaluate new raw materials. If you are detail-oriented, innovative, and eager to contribute to the development of exciting new food products, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Join a company that values excellence and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Employee Discounts

Flexible Working Hours

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 1-2 years' experience in food manufacturing processes.
• Experience in new product design and development.
• Understanding of food safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage product development from trials to factory implementation.
• Conduct laboratory tests for shelf-life monitoring.
• Compile reports for all trials and maintain product documentation.

Skills

Sensory Analysis

Project Management

Food Safety Regulations

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Diploma in Food Technology

BSc Degree in Food Science

Tools

SAP

SCADA

PLC Control Systems

MS Office

Job description

This position is responsible for project execution, from pilot prototype development with suppliers to industrial trials and factory implementation. The conduction of laboratory tests for shelf-life monitoring, performing sensory evaluations, along with the compilation and maintenance of product documentation for new launches and existing products.

About You

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

1. Planning trial schedules with planning and industrial teams.
2. Procure new raw materials for trials.
3. Trial preparation with production, warehouse, quality teams, including trial recipe input into SAP.
4. Trial execution from mixing to packing.
5. Prepare and complete reports pertaining to all trials (pilot, industrial, sensory & shelf-life) as per the project management process.
6. Shelf life follow-up, including laboratory analysis and sensory analysis using internal tools, with trained and untrained tasters.
7. Facilitating logistics of samples for sensory consumer research with external agencies.
8. Evaluation of process performance linked to new formulations, together with the Industrial team.

Types of product development :

• New product and/or flavor development.
• Productivity recipe development.
• Business continuity solutions implementation.

Additional responsibilities include:

• New raw material sourcing.
• Raw material document sourcing, evaluation, and assessment for trial and recipe feasibility, including food safety risk analysis linked to the material.
• Validation of claims through testing, maintenance of claims support documentation.
• Submission to religious bodies for certification of new or changed product formulations.
• Measure processing parameters and compile processing documents for products, to uphold required quality standards.
• Understanding regulatory/statutory requirements impacting recipe design.
• Understanding recipe costing.

Project management

• Identify and manage risks (MOC) associated with projects.
• Conduct Quality and Food Safety Risk Assessments.
• Execute development activities according to planned timelines.
• Log workflows for system Bill of Material changes on SAP related to formulations.
• Train the Industrial and Quality team on all new products at handover stage.
• Compilation and circulation of Management of Change documents.
• Validate product and process performance post launch.
• Develop and sign off, in collaboration with Quality, all Raw Material specifications and Food Safety documents.
• Development and updating of Final Product Specifications.
• Provide input into the HCP review with Quality Assurance.

R&I CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Launch follow-up support 3 months after first production.
• Attend and participate in all relevant factory meetings and action plans relevant to R&I.
• Assist with troubleshooting by conducting investigations to understand problems’ root causes.
• Document all learnings to input into project closure and to share with other technical experts in the business.

GENERAL

• Maintain Final Product specs, including final product specifications tracker.
• Maintain Trial tracker.
• Participation in quality audits and store checks.
• Basic understanding of the business profit and loss statement.
• Basic understanding of processing requirements and functionality of ingredients.
• Build good relationships with major suppliers and stay up to date with new developments, innovation, and technology.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Diploma in Food Technology, BSc Degree in Food Science.

WORK EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 1-2 years' experience in a complex process plant, preferably in food manufacturing with SCADA / PLC control systems.
• Experience in new product design, development, and industrial implementation (scale up), preferably in dairy industry.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including production, quality, and planning.
• Basic understanding of relevant regulations and legislation.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office), numeracy, and analytical skills.
• Sensory analysis understanding.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Action-oriented with a drive for results.
• Passion for excellence in execution.
• Team player able to work in close collaboration with others.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Innovative thinking, curiosity, and creativity.