Food Technologist

Main Purpose of Job

Management of technical project activities selection, evaluation and application ensuring effective project management of briefs from resource support to implementation for both reactive and proactive projects.
Partner with Sales team to deliver customer projects that drive business growth for the region.

Scope of Job

New Product Development

Responsible for flavour selection, evaluation and application activities
Ensuring effective selection requirements against country specific regulatory requirements
Ensure selection meets the customer/ project cost in use requirements
Key understanding of ingredients and their interaction within formulations
Determine the most suitable final formulation validation method for application projects (when required)
Testing flavour stability in application as well as management of shelf-life testing (when needed)
Management of shelf life program and evaluation sessions
Support new product introductions/substitutions in factories where necessary
Ensuring that final applications meet an appropriate standard for presentation
Compiling change requirements to formulations if required from QC perspective
Approving shelf life extensions from customers
Stay abreast to leverage relevance for own market needs

Project Management

Attends or leads daily and timeous steering of new projects
Ensure clarity on the new NPD requests
Manage resource and project planning for projects requiring application work or complex briefs
Ensuring that final applications are of a quality standard and deliver to the brief before presenting to customers
Updating project tracker
Ensure effective and frequent communication with Sales team on project status
Ensure efficiency in the project management process from concept to implementation and drive continuous improvement opportunities through the Project & Portfolio Manager

Management of the Kitchen

Implement and monitor health and safety standards for the Kitchen
Manage the kitchen expenses within budget
Manage ingredient library data base and availability
Manage kitchen consumables in terms of requirements and availability as well as suppliers for sourcing
Manage and monitor kitchen equipment planned maintenance scheduling and calibration and ensure this takes place
Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and standards for analytical equipment
Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for pilot plant equipment (where relevant)
Manage interface with ingredient suppliers and keep abreast of new technologies / innovations, arrange technical competence training with these suppliers (when required)
Ensures efficient utilization of kitchen and kitchen resources
Provides input and motivation into the annual CAPEX process and procures equipment when approved

Partnership with Sales to drive business growth

Supports Commercial & Sales teams with day-to-day feedback on technical viability of requests in terms of customer concepts or new prototypes
Supports Marketing and Commercial / Sales teams with generation of proactive product innovation opportunities (concepts, presentations)
Supports customers with basic technical questions regarding flavours and application in final products
Supports Commercial / Sales team during strategic customer visits and customer trials
Supports delivery against Account Development Plans for strategic regional customers

Personal Attributes

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels within the organisation.
Strong Customer focus and networker
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Time keeping – able to meet deadlines/timelines
Ability to work under pressure and make good decisions in pressure situations.
Reliable, Honest and ethical
Smart appearance & good personal hygiene
Meticulous with a high level of attention to detail combined with the ability to deliver on tight time schedules and excellent numerical & scientific skills
Positive and energetic attitude with a hands-on approach to work.
Has a balanced persona which is perceived as “firm friendly and fair”
Mind set of “Finish Today’s Work Today”.
A good communicator with the ability to read and write reports in English.
Adaptable and flexible in mindset and ways of working

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Food Science Degree in Food Technology or equivalent qualification
Minimum 5 years in the Food/Flavour Industry with proven experience in New Product Development, Formulation Development, Process Design and Legislation.
Experience in Project Management

Advantageous

Experience in the meat value added/deli industry
Food Processing / Industrialisation experience