Senior Product Developer - Confectionery

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance bonuses

Career growth

Cape Town base

Job summary

Placements24 represents a renowned FMCG leader in confectionery seeking a Senior Product Developer to join its Research & Development team in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will lead ideation, formulation, and commercialization of new and improved confectionery products from lab to shelf.

The ideal candidate has at least 5 years in confectionery product development, strong knowledge of ingredient functionality and processing, and proven ability to drive cross-functional projects with marketing,

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of product development experience in FMCG food, confectionery.
• Experience formulating a wide range of confectionery products (e.g., chocolate, gummies, hard candies).
• Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, and processing technologies.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and manufacturing scale-up; HACCP/GMP knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new confectionery products from concept to commercial launch.
• Benchtop formulation, pilot plant trials, and full-scale production runs.
• Optimize existing formulations to improve quality, cost, and sensory attributes.
• Collaborate with Marketing to translate consumer needs into product requirements.
• Work with Operations to ensure smooth scale-up and manufacturing of new products.
• Perform sensory evaluations and consumer testing to refine prototypes.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, ingredients, and processing technologies in confectionery.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables within budget.
• Mentor and guide junior product development scientists and technicians.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Creative mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

Master's degree advantageous

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the FMCG sector with a celebrated portfolio of confectionery products, is seeking an innovative and experienced Senior Product Developer to join their esteemed Research & Development team in Cape Town, Western Cape . This crucial role involves leading the ideation, development, and commercialization of new and improved confectionery products that delight consumers and drive market growth. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, R&D, and operations, to bring innovative concepts from the lab to the shelf. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact on beloved brands within the vibrant Cape Town, Western Cape landscape. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of food science, confectionery technology, and consumer preferences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new confectionery products from concept to commercial launch, ensuring alignment with consumer insights and business objectives.
• Conduct benchtop product formulation, pilot plant trials, and full-scale production runs.
• Optimize existing product formulations to improve quality, cost-effectiveness, and sensory attributes.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to understand consumer needs and translate them into product requirements.
• Work closely with the Operations team to ensure smooth scale-up and successful manufacturing of new products.
• Perform sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and refine product prototypes.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new ingredients, and emerging technologies in confectionery.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables, ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Mentor and guide junior product development scientists and technicians.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A Master's degree is advantageous.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG food industry, with a specialization in confectionery.
• Proven experience in formulating and developing a wide range of confectionery products (e.g., chocolate, gummies, hard candies).
• Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, and processing technologies relevant to confectionery.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and commercial scale-up.Excellent understanding of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Creative mindset with a passion for innovation in food products.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and analysis.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid, provident fund, and potential for bonuses based on performance.
• We provide opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and career advancement within a dynamic and innovative FMCG environment.
• This role is based in the beautiful city of Cape Town, Western Cape , offering a desirable lifestyle.
• Our client is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Employees have access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate with industry experts.
• Join our team and be instrumental in creating the next generation of confectionery delights.