Material Intrinsic Specialist at The Heineken Company

Purpose of the Job:

The Spirits Intrinsic Material Specialist is responsible for: 

• Execute lab trials under the guidance of the Lead: Spirits Excellence.
• Assist with product renovation and new product development (brandy, aperitifs, white spirits, and liqueur).
• Intrinsic Centre of Excellence Lab management.
• Spirits sample management.
• Coordinate the approval process of neutral C Spirits used in Manufacturing.
• Ensure effective communication with internal customers and stakeholders. 
• Maintain and update Brand technical footprint and assist with document control.

Key Performance Areas:

• Complete trial blends for Spirits, Whisky, Aperitifs and Spirits Liqueurs prior to large scale production.
• Execute lab scale distillation for trial purposes.   
• Prepare samples for shelf life and consumer testing in accordance with recipe developed by Lead: Spirit Excellence.
• Coordinate and submit samples for chemical and sensory analysis for experimental trials and problem-solving purposes.
• Preparation and tracking of domestic and international samples for all Spirits and Liqueur products.
• Set up and coordinate sensory evaluation for the Centre of Excellence tasting panel and other ad hock tastings needed.  
• Efficient cleaning of the lab and glassware and Management of lab stock.
• Coordinate the approval process of ‘’control’’ references samples within the Centre of Excellence / Manufacturing space.
• Communicate analytical and sensory results to internal customers and stakeholders. 
• Assist in operating the pilot plant for Ad Hoc Projects (Centre of Excellence) that will be run under guidance and instruction of the Lead: Spirits Excellence
• Assist the Lead: Spirits Excellence with technical audits.  

Job Requirements:

Education

• Relevant tertiary qualification (Food Science, Oenology, Distillation)
• NQF5 level 

Experience 

• 2 - 3 Years in the food and beverage industry. 
• Spirits Production experience (Distillation / Blending) will be advantageous.  
• Spirits product sensory evaluation experience and training.
• SAP Experience.   
• Proficient in Microsoft excel. 
• Problem Solving skills.