Based: Midrand, RSA
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Management Support & Cross-functional sub-functions leadership:
- Partner with R&D Manager for strategic decision-making activities. Represent R&D Manager in selected forums.
- Where appropriate, to establish proactive projects to safeguard the future of our products and process, future-proofing business continuity.
- Oversee day to day activities of cross-functional sub-functions (Sensory, PPI, Packaging) within R&D.
- Manage projects from concept to launch phase, ensuring that the appropriate resources (sensory, research, regulatory, commercial, consumer insights, production and QA) are coordinated to ensure that the action standards of the brief are met and completed successfully. Provide project and technical updates to support Commercialization to track NPD from concept to launch phase; via the Project Tracker.
- Lead problem solving activities with customers to unlock technical solutions. Provide active support in the introduction of new products at Customer facilities. Interact with Customers to provide them with technical expertise to accelerate the business Customer Intimacy Strategy.
- Input formulation development data into SAP RD to ensure development traceability and formulation costing; to allow historic data retrieval. Provide formulation inputs to Finance for costing and pricing purposes. Compile HACCP approvals, Ingredient Listings and Nutritional Information to allow QA and Regulatory to facilitate Product Specifications and sign off Safety requirements.
- Participate in internal Sensory Evaluation activities to develop a strong awareness of the sensory attributes of new products and raw materials. Coordinate internal evaluations of newly developed products to ascertain required modifications.
- Actively support Supply Chain and QA with technical know-how on NPDs and current product quality maintenance where necessary .Support Product and Process Implementation (PPI) to execute internal and external trial related activities and monitoring of first production runs. Collaborate with Consumer Insights to ensure developed concepts and NPDs conform to current Market Insights and trends. Partner with Sensory Team to maintain ways of working that will guide sensory, shelf-life and consumer research protocols for optimal product development.
- Interact with Suppliers and the Industry, through workshops/ seminar attendance, to ensure latest trends and technologies are incorporated into development activities.
- Dynamically manage resources within sub-team.
- Contribute towards continuous improvement of company standards for administration, Health & Safety, GMP and housekeeping in the work environment.
- Support Technical Procurement/ Ingredient Technologist with evaluation of new/ alternative raw materials.
- Diploma/ B-Tech Degree - Food Technology, Biotechnology
- B. Sc - Food Science or equivalent qualification
- Product development experience within an FMGC environment (preferred).
- Team Player ability to interact cross-functionally
- Self-starter ability to initiate without being prompted
- Self-motivating taking ownership and accountability
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Highly adaptable to change
- Good communication skills ability to present to internal and external stakeholders
- High Intellectual curiosity research orientated
- Ability to develop customer relationships and maintain customer intimacy
- Attention to detail
