Overview
Food Technologist – Value Added – ASTRAL FOODS Jobs in Gauteng, South Africa at Trending Talent Solutions
Title: Food Technologist – Value Added – ASTRAL FOODS
Company: Trending Talent Solutions
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
The successful candidate must have demonstrable experience in leading end-to-end product development, taking products from initial concept and formulation through factory trials, commercialisation and successful market launch. This role offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment, contributing directly to product innovation, quality and customer satisfaction are key.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end development of new value-added poultry products, from concept through formulation, factory trials, validation, commercialisation and launch.
- Drive continuous improvement of existing products to meet customer expectations, quality standards and cost objectives.
- Develop, maintain and manage product specifications, ingredient declarations and labelling in accordance with South African food legislation.
- Plan, coordinate and evaluate laboratory, pilot and factory trials, ensuring products are successfully transferred into routine production.
- Provide technical support to internal production facilities and external co-packers to ensure consistent product quality and performance.
- Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies and competitor benchmarking, translating findings into product improvements.
- Investigate technical deviations, customer complaints and non-conformances, implementing effective corrective actions.
- Provide technical input into procurement, supply chain, marketing and commercial initiatives, including ingredient selection and product claims.
- Collaborate closely with Quality, Technical, Operations, Sales and Marketing teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Monitor industry trends, consumer preferences and emerging technologies to identify innovation opportunities.
Qualifications, Experience and Key Competencies:
- BSc or BTech in Food Technology, Food Science or a related qualification.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably within poultry, meat or value-added protein categories.
- Essential: Proven, hands-on experience in leading end-to-end product development, with responsibility for products from concept through formulation, factory trials, commercialisation and final market launch.
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate a successful track record of products they have personally developed and commercialised.
- Strong knowledge of South African food legislation and labelling requirements.
- Experience working with co-packers and multiple manufacturing sites will be advantageous.
- Strong technical, analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Excellent planning, organisational and project management skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple disciplines.
- High attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- High level of personal and professional integrity.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to operate at specialist level within a well-established corporate environment
- Lead the development of innovative products from concept to market.
- Competitive remuneration package
- Career development within a growing value-added category