Senior Product Development Scientist - Food & Beverage

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan

Generous leave

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, is seeking a Senior Product Development Scientist for a hybrid role in a leading FMCG food and beverage company. You will lead research, development, and commercialization of innovative products, ensuring they meet stringent quality, safety, and consumer appeal standards.

Ideal candidates hold a Master's or PhD in Food Science or a related field with 5–7 years of FMCG product development experience, a track record of successful launches, and strong

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5–7 years in product development within FMCG food and beverage.
• Proven track record launching new products.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, processing, sensory evaluation, and formulation.
• Experience with DoE and statistics.
• Proficient lab techniques for food product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development lifecycle from ideation to commercialization.
• Research new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods.
• Develop and optimize formulations to meet taste, texture, nutrition and cost targets.
• Plan lab-scale and pilot-plant trials and document results.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, QA, and Manufacturing for launches.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
• Analyze consumer feedback and market trends for opportunities.
• Prepare technical reports and product specifications.

Skills

Food science

Product development

DoE

Sensory evaluation

Statistical analysis

Team collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Presentation skills

Education

Master's in Food Science

PhD in related field

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

Spectrophotometer

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the FMCG food and beverage sector, is seeking an experienced Senior Product Development Scientist. This role is instrumental in driving innovation and bringing new, exciting products to market. The position offers a Hybrid work arrangement, balancing the advantages of remote work with essential in-person collaboration in our Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA facility. You will lead the research, development, and commercialization of innovative food and beverage products, ensuring they meet stringent quality, safety, and consumer appeal standards. Your expertise in food science and product formulation will be key to maintaining our client's competitive edge. This role requires a blend of scientific rigor, creativity, and a deep understanding of consumer preferences within the dynamic FMCG landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the entire product development lifecycle from ideation and concept development to formulation, prototyping, testing, and commercialization.
• Conduct scientific research to identify new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods for product innovation.
• Develop and optimize product formulations to meet taste, texture, nutritional, and cost targets.
• Plan and execute laboratory-scale and pilot-plant trials, documenting processes and results meticulously.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Sales, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing, to ensure successful product launches.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Analyze consumer feedback and market trends to identify opportunities for product improvement and new product development.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and product specifications for internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in product development within the FMCG food and beverage industry.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching new food or beverage products.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, processing technologies, sensory evaluation, and product formulation techniques.
• Experience with statistical analysis and experimental design (DoE).
• Proficiency in laboratory equipment and techniques relevant to food product development.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for food products is essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, retirement savings plan, generous leave, and excellent opportunities for professional growth and learning. This hybrid role provides a dynamic work environment in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA, fostering innovation and collaboration.