Research and development Technologist

Recruiter:

Imforce Recruitment

Job Ref:

RD01

Date posted:

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Location:

Durban, South Africa

Salary:

Up to R20,000

SUMMARY:
The R&D Technologist will be responsible for developing and improving food products (related to fats and Oils) and processes within the manufacturing environment.

POSITION INFO:

The incumbent will work closely with sales, marketing, production, quality, and procurement teams to drive innovation, optimize formulations, and ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.

This position is based in Mobeni, KZN.

Permanent Position

Working Hours: 07h30 - 16h30

Qualifications & Experience

Qualification in Food Tech/Biotech
FMCG, Food Experience
Food Safety, Legislation, Market Trends

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Timely delivery of new and reformulated products to market.
Reduction in formulation cost and process non-conformances.
Compliance with food safety, regulatory, and quality standards.
Successful completion of R&D trials and product validations.

Duties & Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

Lead product innovation projects from concept design through to factory implementation in line with company strategy and customer requirements. Reformulate existing products to improve quality, cost efficiency, or nutritional value. Conduct Lab-scale and factory trials to validate formulations and processes. Support product enhancements related to sensory, stability, and shelf-life improvement. Engage New raw material & Packaging Suppliers.

Technical Support & Process Optimization

Work collaboratively with production and quality teams to troubleshoot process or formulation challenges. Translate lab-scale formulations to full-scale manufacturing efficiently. Develop and maintain product specifications, formulations, and SOPs. Participate in continuous improvement projects focused on process efficiency and sustainability. Customer visits, Sensory Evaluations. Matching customer specs

Documentation & Compliance

Ensure all R&D activities comply with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (e.g., FSSC 22000, HACCP, Codex). Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation, including trial reports, formulations, and change control records. Liaise with suppliers and regulatory bodies to source and approve raw materials and ingredients

Research & Market Insight:

Conduct ingredient functionality studies, competitor benchmarking, and trend analysis. Identify innovative technologies and ingredients to enhance the product portfolio. Provide technical input for customer presentations and project briefs.

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