Senior Product Development Scientist - FMCG

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote work

Professional development

Flexible work arrangement

Advanced lab equipment access

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Product Development Scientist for a fully remote role in SA. You will drive end-to-end development from concept to scale-up, translating market insights into innovative FMCG products within a dynamic team in Pretoria-based operations.

Requirements include a Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field and 5+ years in FMCG product development, with strong formulation, sensory testing, and data analysis capabilities. Remote work flexibility is offered.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Proven experience in formulating and launching new consumer products.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, product stability, and manufacturing processes relevant to FMCG.
• Excellent laboratory skills, including experience with analytical and sensory evaluation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products, focusing on innovation and market competitiveness.
• Formulate and test new product prototypes, ensuring adherence to quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and refine product attributes.
• Scale up laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production levels, collaborating with manufacturing teams.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during the product development process.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, ingredients, and consumer trends relevant to the FMCG sector.
• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of results.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to ensure product concepts align with market demands and commercial objectives.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the overall growth of the R&D department.

Skills

Product development

FMCG knowledge

Sensory evaluation

Analytical skills

Project management

Remote collaboration

Education

MSc/PhD in Food Science

Tools

Statistical software

Lab data tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is looking for a talented Senior Product Development Scientist to drive the creation of exciting new products. This fully remote position allows you to contribute your expertise from anywhere, while being part of our dynamic team based in Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA. You will be responsible for the entire product development lifecycle, from conceptualization and formulation to pilot testing and scale-up. This role requires a strong scientific background, exceptional creativity, and a deep understanding of consumer needs within the FMCG market. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate market insights into commercially viable and high-quality products that delight consumers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products, focusing on innovation and market competitiveness.
• Formulate and test new product prototypes, ensuring adherence to quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer testing to gather feedback and refine product attributes.
• Scale up laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production levels, collaborating with manufacturing teams.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during the product development process.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements, ingredients, and consumer trends relevant to the FMCG sector.
• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of results.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to ensure product concepts align with market demands and commercial objectives.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the overall growth of the R&D department.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product development within the FMCG industry.
• Proven experience in formulating and launching new consumer products.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, product stability, and manufacturing processes relevant to FMCG.
• Excellent laboratory skills, including experience with analytical and sensory evaluation techniques.
• Proficiency in project management and data analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and quality assurance principles.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.
• Passion for innovation and a keen understanding of consumer trends in the FMCG market.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and market-leading FMCG products.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Professional development and continuous training opportunities.
• Collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Direct impact on product pipeline and company growth.
• Access to advanced laboratory equipment and resources.
• Contribution to shaping the future of the FMCG industry.
• Generous paid time off.