Senior Product Developer

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Comprehensive benefits package

International R&D initiatives

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Product Developer to drive FMCG product innovation from concept through to market launch. You will lead cross-functional teams, design prototypes, perform sensory evaluations, and optimize recipes for taste, texture, and shelf-life.

The role requires a Master's or PhD in Food Science or related field and 5-7 years of relevant experience, with relocation to the Sandton area. State-of-the-art labs and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5-7 years of FMCG product development experience.
• Proven track record of launching new products.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry and processing technologies.
• Excellent project management and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and innovation of new FMCG products from concept to market.
• Formulate prototypes, conduct sensory evaluations, optimize recipes.
• Collaborate with marketing to translate consumer needs into concepts.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and scale-up for manufacturing.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Work with packaging to ensure product integrity and presentation.

Skills

Excellent project management

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Sensory evaluation

Education

Master's or PhD in Food Science / Chemistry / related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Product Developer to join their research and development team in Sandton , focusing on the FMCG sector . This role is pivotal in conceptualizing, formulating, and bringing new products to market, ensuring they meet consumer needs and quality standards. You will lead product development projects from ideation through to commercialization, working closely with marketing, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced food scientist or product development specialist to make a significant impact on product innovation within a leading FMCG company in Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and innovation of new FMCG products, from concept generation to market launch.
• Formulate new product prototypes, conduct sensory evaluations, and optimize recipes for taste, texture, and shelf-life.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to understand consumer needs and translate them into product concepts.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and scale-up processes for new product manufacturing.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations and quality standards.
• Work closely with packaging development to ensure product integrity and presentation.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry, specifically in food or beverages.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, processing technologies, and analytical methods.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Sandton area.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and participation in international R&D initiatives.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
• Generous annual leave and performance-based bonuses.
• A stimulating and innovative research environment.