Research & Development Technologist x2

RCL FOODS is a deeply rooted South African food manufacturer that produces some of the country’s most-loved brands, including Yum Yum peanut butter, Nola mayonnaise, Ouma rusks, and Selati sugar, just to name a few. At the heart of our culture and strategy is our Purpose – WE GROW WHAT MATTERS – which reflects our belief in collectively doing that little more to create a positive impact that truly matters.

Visit our website: www.rclfoods.com

RCL FOODS is seeking two dynamic Research and Development Technologists join our Milling division in Pretoria West.

Purpose of the role

To develop products according to brief, lead all laboratory and factory trials, and manage delivery of R&D projects from concept to launch.

Duties & Responsibilities

Innovation

• Conduct regular trade reviews and identify gaps in the market for potential innovations.
• Assist in customer presentations and conduct proactive product development.
• Identify opportunities in current product recipes and processes for recipe and cost optimisation.

Product Development

• Develop products according to project brief or customer specification.
• Conduct the necessary laboratory and factory trials for the launch of new products.
• Develop make-up recipe and cooking instructions, for premixes/maize/coatings, respectively.
• Liaise with suppliers for the sourcing of new ingredients.
• Keep abreast with new ingredient technologies for recipe and cost optimisation.
• Screening of all raw materials to ensure they are suitable for the application and/or manufacturing plant.
• Conduct sensory evaluation/tasting sessions for products that are in development.
• Develop product specifications.
• Conduct product shelf-life tests and reports.
• Train the production teams on how to manufacture the new product while conducting factory trials in conjunction with them.
• Liaise with commercial teams to complete product costings.

Project Management

• Provide input towards the development of project timelines for all projects in the R&D pipeline.
• Manage project delivery against project timelines.

Quality Assessments

• Conduct quality assessments such as softness, texture, volume, water activity studies, sensory analysis where required.
• Interpretation of data collected from the quality assessment instruments.

Administration & Reporting

• Recording of all laboratory trial data.
• Ensuring all relevant QC & Food Safety documents are completed for all new ingredients.
• Completing and archiving of all laboratory trial data.
• Compiling of all factory trial reports.
• Drafting of project specifications.
• Completing shelf-life test reports.

Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of flour, it’s quality specifications and associated applications
• Understanding of baking (bread and flour confectionery)
• Detailed knowledge of the instruments used for bread quality assessments
• Knowledge of bakery SOP’s
• Technical knowledge of raw materials
• Basic laboratory management
• Computer literacy
• Skills
• Administrative
• Planning & Time Management
• Attributes
• Attention to detail
• Professional

Minimum Requirements

• BSc or BSc(Hons) in Food Science or equivalent qualification
• National Diploma or BTech in Food Technology or equivalent qualification
• Computer literacy courses
• 2 years R&D experience with in-store baking and/or plant baking experience