Research and development Technologist

Recruiter:

Esteem Recruitment

Job Ref:

Research & Developme..

Date posted:

Monday, April 13, 2026

Location:

Durban, South Africa

Salary:

Annual

SUMMARY:
R&D Technologist

POSITION INFO:

Role Overview

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking an experienced R&D Technologist to drive product development and innovation within the fats and oils category. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing new products, improving existing formulations, and supporting production processes while ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

Lead product development projects from concept to factory implementation
Reformulate products to improve quality, cost efficiency, and nutritional value
Conduct lab-scale and plant trials
Improve product stability, shelf-life, and sensory attributes
Source and evaluate new raw materials and packaging solutions

Technical Support & Optimization

Support production with troubleshooting and process improvements
Scale formulations from lab to manufacturing
Develop and maintain product specs, formulations, and SOPs
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives
Conduct sensory evaluations and align products with customer requirements

Compliance & Documentation

Ensure compliance with food safety standards (FSSC 22000, HACCP, Codex)
Maintain accurate R&D documentation and reports
Work with suppliers and regulatory bodies on ingredient approvals

Research & Market Insights

Conduct ingredient and functionality research
Perform competitor benchmarking and trend analysis
Identify innovative ingredients and technologies
Support customer presentations with technical input

Minimum Requirements

Degree or Diploma in Food Science / Food Technology or related field
Minimum 2–5 years’ experience in food manufacturing (essential)
Product development/R&D experience (advantageous)
Experience working with fats and oils (preferred)
Knowledge of food safety and regulatory standards

Key Skills

Strong problem-solving and analytical ability
Attention to detail
Ability to work in cross-functional teams
Good communication and reporting skills
Innovation-driven mindset

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