Hoedspruit: Research & Product Development Specialist posted by Scarlet Recruitment

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Research & Product Development Specialist to join our team in Hoedspruit, Limpopo. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Food Technology and drive new product development from concept to commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on fruit varieties, preservation methods, processing techniques, and shelf-life improvement.
• Develop value-added fruit products (e.g., dried fruit, juices, purees, snacks).
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers, production, and marketing to ensure product viability.
• Analyse market trends and customer feedback to improve and innovate product lines.
• Analyse packaging trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Food Technology or Food Science.
• Minimum 23 years experience in R&D, preferably in the fruit or beverage sector.
• Strong knowledge of food formulation, sensory evaluation, and processing technologies.
• Familiarity with quality control, lab testing, and product stability protocols.
• Passion for tropical fruits and sustainable product innovation.

Qualifications

• Formal education/certifications: Please specify (none mentioned)

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range: [not mentioned]
• Other benefits: [not mentioned]

Note: I have skipped the “Salary & Benefits” section as it was not explicitly mentioned in the original job description. If you would like to add this information, please provide the relevant details.