Senior FMCG Product Developer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Remote-first culture

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior FMCG Product Developer to lead end-to-end development of new and existing FMCG products from concept through to market launch. You will research market needs and work with R&D, marketing, and regulatory teams to ensure innovative, compliant products.

The role requires 6–8 years in FMCG product development, strong formulation knowledge, and experience leading projects in a remote, collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in FMCG product development.
• In-depth knowledge of product formulation and packaging solutions.
• Proven lead experience from concept to commercialization.
• Strong understanding of consumer insights and market analysis.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Experience in a remote, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development for new and existing FMCG products.
• Research consumer needs, trends, and competitors to identify opportunities.
• Develop specifications, formulations, and prototypes with R&D teams.
• Oversee product testing, sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and trials.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, supply chain, and regulatory teams for launches.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges in development lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and QA protocols.
• Manage multiple development projects with timelines and budgets.

Skills

Product development

Project management

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Food Science or related field

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Product development software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering force in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is actively seeking an innovative and experienced Senior FMCG Product Developer to join their forward-thinking team. This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be at the forefront of creating and refining new FMCG products, from concept generation through to market launch. This role demands creativity, strong technical expertise in product development, and a thorough understanding of consumer preferences and market trends within the FMCG sector. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet quality, cost, and regulatory requirements. Our client is committed to innovation and is building a remote-first culture that values collaboration and cutting-edge development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for new and existing FMCG products, ensuring innovation and market relevance.
• Conduct thorough research into consumer needs, market trends, and competitor offerings to identify product development opportunities.
• Develop product specifications, formulations, and prototypes, working closely with R&D and technical teams.
• Oversee product testing, including sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and consumer trials.
• Collaborate effectively with marketing, sales, supply chain, and regulatory affairs departments to ensure successful product launches.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges that arise during the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, and quality assurance protocols.
• Manage project timelines and budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation for multiple development projects.), they'd get a half‑sized donation. Wait, sorry, this was an old demo of a donation plugin - the logic for the Ajax checkout form runs just now to test. That had no impact. OK. Then ...

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in FMCG product development, with a strong portfolio of successfully launched products.
• In-depth knowledge of product formulation, ingredient functionality, processing techniques, and packaging solutions.
• Proven experience in leading product development projects from concept to commercialization.
• Strong understanding of consumer insights, market analysis, and competitive landscapes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Outstanding communication, collaboration, and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency in relevant software and databases for product development and research.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and thrive in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Experience within the South African FMCG market is highly desirable.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund contributions. You will have the opportunity to work with a leading FMCG company with a strong commitment to innovation and employee well-being, enjoying the flexibility of a remote-first work model. This is an exciting chance to shape the future of FMCG products from anywhere in South Africa.