Assistant Research & Development Manager (FMCG)

Recruiter:

Ad Talent

Job Ref:

1960336397

Date posted:

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Location:

Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY:
-

POSITION INFO:

Expat Opportunity | Zambia | FMCG (Confectionery & Baking)

Who are we
A leading FMCG business with a strong footprint across Africa, focused on producing high-quality confectionery and baking products.

Who are we looking for
An experienced R&D professional from the chocolate, biscuit, or broader snack manufacturing industry, with a passion for product innovation and quality.

What will you do

Support new product development and improve existing confectionery and baked products
Run lab, pilot, and production trials, including formulation and scale-up
Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life testing, and product optimisation
Ensure compliance with food safety standards (GMP, HACCP, ISO)
Work closely with QA/QC on product quality and process improvements
Manage packaging inputs, nutritional labelling, and regulatory requirements
Maintain accurate R&D documentation, reports, and specifications

What do you need

Degree in Food Science
8–10 years’ R&D experience in FMCG (ideally chocolate, biscuits, or snacks)
Strong understanding of food chemistry and ingredient functionality
Experience with product formulation, trials, and commercialisation
SAP proficiency
Strong problem-solving and project management skills

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