R&D Product Development Technologist (Temporary) - Cape Town HQ at PepsiCo

Responsibilities

What we’re looking for:

The R&D Product Development Technologist will organize and execute R&D projects related to SA  and nuts projects . These include innovation, renovation, Technical brand stewardship and quality assurance programs. Primary purpose of this role :

• Support the Snr NPD manager to drive and deliver the Dried fruit and nuts agenda for South Africa in totality.
• Support key projects as allocated by the Snr NPD mngr to deliver the inno NR targets.
• Work in cloely with key R&D functions such as FSQA, SQA, SCE, and other functional teams (Packaging) within R&D to deliver key R&D deliverables.
• Leverage strong technical background to lead on formula design, lab/factory trials, nutritional assessments, shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations and other technical assessments and validations.

• Support Packaging team on shelflife validations required for packaging changes (sustainability, EPR and other)
• The planning and execution of projects and project documentation, system ownership and overall delivery to project , system and function cadences related to key systems.

Primary:

• Support and where needed lead the dried fruit and nuts agenda for R&D.
• Deliver against the NPD agenda ensuring the delivery of the inno NR and Vol targets
• Delivery of prototypes and conceptual samples based on project needs.
• Own, lead and drive relevant R&D related factory trials both at PepsiCo facilities, 3PM and JV sites. Ensure full ownership to co-ordinate trials with core functions such as SC, Mnfr, Packaging, RTE’s, Commercialisation and other related teams.
• Own and disseminate trial protocols, costs related to trials and trial reports.
• Own, update and create (when needed) ZBR (zero base recipes), load requests on digital platforms (SONAR, DELTA)
• Own and ensure ownership of key samples for post event usage from trials for relevant business needs.
• Own the NPD stage gate process related to relevant projects, including leading the TSG process to those key projects.
• Support relevant Project consumer research samples and relevant engagement with the SCE team based on consumer research requirements.
• Engage actively with R&D teams (eg: FSQA, SQA, Packaging, Seasoning, Regulatory) related to key dried fruit and nuts projects. When required drive Material qualification.
• Support the development of the H2 – H5 innovation pipeline. Where needed scope and produce relevant protoypes.

Secondary:

• Support the productivity team to deliver key cost saving projects on the dried fruit and nuts platform.
• Where needed engage with the R&D team (Snacks) to drive OHS enhanced scores
• Ability to use MS office suites, presentation prep and presentation skills to multiple level senior R&D leaders.

Qualifications

What will qualify you for the role:

Minimum Education:  Food Science  degree / B. Tech degree (Food Technology/ Engineering)/ Chemical engineering, Applied Chemistry

• + 3-5 years’ experience in R&D environment in FMCG
• Fluent in English, read, write and speak. Ability to (speaking and writing).
• R&D experience. Experience in dried fruit and/or nuts / Snack R&D experience an
• Demonstrated knowledge on GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000 (advantage)
• Analytical, structured way of working, strong communication skills