Senior Product Developer - FMCG Food & Beverage

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Ibrido; ZAR 900.000 - 1.200.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunities

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous annual leave & development

Access to R&D facilities in Stellenbos

Descrizione del lavoro

Placements24, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a Senior Product Developer for their FMCG R&D team. Hybrid work model with laboratory innovation and strategic development planning.

You will drive the full product lifecycle from concept to commercialization, mentor peers, and stay ahead of market trends in food and beverage. A strong background in food science and regulatory standards is essential.

Competenze

• Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG food and beverage industry.
• Proven expertise in product formulation, ingredient functionality, and food processing techniques.
• Strong understanding of sensory science, analytical techniques, and quality assurance principles.
• Experience with project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, FSSC 22000).
• Experience in a hybrid work environment, demonstrating effective collaboration and self-management.
• Knowledge of the Western Cape food and beverage landscape is an advantage.

Mansioni

• Lead the development of new food and beverage products, from ideation through to commercial launch, ensuring alignment with market trends and business objectives.
• Conduct extensive research on ingredients, raw materials, and processing technologies to optimize product formulations and performance.
• Develop prototypes, conduct sensory evaluations, and perform shelf-life studies to ensure product quality, safety, and consumer acceptance.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches and ongoing product improvements.
• Manage product development projects, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during product development and scale-up processes.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and relevant industry legislation.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, new technologies, and competitor innovations within the FMCG food and beverage sector.
• Mentor junior product developers and contribute to the continuous improvement of R&D processes.
• Prepare technical documentation, specifications, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Conoscenze

Product development

Sensory science

Project management

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Formazione

Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science / related

Descrizione del lavoro

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the FMCG sector, is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Product Developer to join their Research & Development team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This role is crucial for driving product innovation and ensuring the quality and competitiveness of our client's extensive food and beverage portfolio. You will be responsible for the entire product development lifecycle, from concept generation and formulation to scale-up and commercialization. This position requires a deep understanding of food science, ingredient technology, and consumer trends within the dynamic FMCG market. Working in a hybrid capacity, you will have the opportunity to blend laboratory-based innovation with strategic development planning and cross-functional collaboration. If you are passionate about creating exciting new products and have a proven track record in FMCG product development, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact in the heart of the Western Cape's vibrant agricultural and food industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new food and beverage products, from ideation through to commercial launch, ensuring alignment with market trends and business objectives.
• Conduct extensive research on ingredients, raw materials, and processing technologies to optimize product formulations and performance.
• Develop prototypes, conduct sensory evaluations, and perform shelf-life studies to ensure product quality, safety, and consumer acceptance.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches and ongoing product improvements.
• Manage product development projects, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during product development and scale-up processes.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and relevant industry legislation.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, new technologies, and competitor innovations within the FMCG food and beverage sector.
• Mentor junior product developers and contribute to the continuous improvement of R&D processes.
• Prepare technical documentation, specifications, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG food and beverage industry.
• Proven expertise in product formulation, ingredient functionality, and food processing techniques.
• Strong understanding of sensory science, analytical techniques, and quality assurance principles.
• Experience with project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, FSSC 22000) is essential.
• Experience in a hybrid work environment, demonstrating effective collaboration and self-management.
• Knowledge of the Western Cape food and beverage landscape is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous annual leave and other employee perks.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Access to well-equipped R&D facilities in Stellenbosch.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture that fosters creativity and growth.
• Hybrid work flexibility that promotes work-life balance.