Teamlead R&D Botanicals

SUMMARY:
Our client is seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead the development, optimization and commercialization of natural and botanical-based ingredients.
This is a senior technical role requiring strong scientific judgement, independent decision-making and the ability to take products from laboratory development through to commercial manufacturing.
The successful candidate will work closely with Product, Operations, Quality, Procurement and Sales teams to develop scalable, commercially viable products and resolve complex technical challenges.

POSITION INFO:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Lead technical feasibility assessments and new product development. Develop and optimize extraction and manufacturing processes. Plans oversee laboratory, pilot and commercial-scale trials. Lead technical scale-up and manufacturing validation. Investigate process deviations, poor yields and technical challenges. Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions. Develop product specifications and analytical requirements. Evaluate raw materials, suppliers and pre-production samples. Interpret analytical data and assess product quality and performance. Provide technical support for customer-related product issues. Identify opportunities to improve yield, quality, consistency and manufacturing efficiency. Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Procurement, Product and Sales teams. Lead and develop a small team of analytical\/laboratory specialists. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS BSc\/BTech\/MSc or equivalent in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering or a related field. Ideally 7-10+ years' relevant R&D\/technical experience. Experience in botanical extraction, natural ingredients, food ingredients, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals or related manufacturing. Proven experience taking products from laboratory development through to commercial production. Strong knowledge of extraction, filtration, concentration and drying processes. Experience with analytical data, specifications and technical investigations. Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions. Strong project management and cross-functional communication skills. Commercial and manufacturing mindset with a focus on practical, scalable solutions. To apply, please send your CV with your salary expectations to Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not receive feedback within 48 hours, please accept your application as unsuccessful. Persona Staff (Pty) Ltd is POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013) compliant, all personal information is protected according to legislation. By applying for any of our available vacancies, you give Persona Staff consent to process your Personal Information for Recruitment Purposes, according to the POPI ACT, 2013. If you have any concerns regarding your Personal Information and our compliance towards the legislation, you are welcome to request our POPI Act Policy.