Research and Product Development Specialist (Dried Fruit)

Danté Personnel Recruitment; Hoedspruit; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is looking for a Research and Product Development Specialist in the fruit sector for their Hoedspruit location. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology and at least 2–3 years of experience in R&D, preferably in the fruit or beverage sector. Responsibilities include driving product development from idea to commercialization, conducting research on fruit varieties, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. This is a great opportunity to innovate in a growing industry.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years’ experience in R and D preferably in the fruit or beverage sector.
• Experience with developing value-added fruit products like dried fruits and juices.
• Familiarity with food safety standards, HACCP, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Drive new product development from idea generation to commercialization.
• Conduct research on fruit varieties and processing techniques.
• Collaborate with suppliers, production and marketing teams.

Skills

Food formulation

Sensory evaluation

Processing technologies

Product development

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology or related field

Job description

SA - Limpopo, Hoedspruit Research and Product Development Specialist (Dried Fruit)

Our client in the Fruit sector is looking for a Research and Product Development Specialist to join their team in Hoedspruit Limpopo.

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Food Technology, Food Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in R and D preferably in the fruit or beverage sector.
• Strong knowledge of food formulation, sensory evaluation, and processing technologies.
• Experience with the following:
• Driving new product development from idea generation to commercialisation.
• Conducting research on mango and other fruit varieties, preservation methods, processing techniques, and shelf-life improvement.
• Development of value-added fruit products (e.g., dried fruit, juices, purees, snacks).
• Ensuring compliance with food safety standards, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborating with suppliers, production, and marketing to ensure product viability.
• Analysing market trends and customer feedback to improve and innovate product lines.
• Experience from beginning of product development to end.

Consultant: Anna-Belle Ehrke - Dante Personnel Mpumalanga

Research and Product Development Specialist Dried Fruit Hoedspruit • Hoedspruit