Special: Research & Development SRD3107 at KWV

Purpose: The incumbent will lead the development of new liquid products through innovation and continuous improvement, and in support of KWV’s strategic mandates.  The incumbent must continually strive to ensure that only food safe, quality products and services are delivered with integrity and meeting applicable standards and requirements (legal, regulatory and client).  The incumbent must also execute technical projects to verify quality or product performance.  Furthermore the incumbent will support other technical research, as required, to improve efficiencies and cost-effectiveness for better quality products and processes.

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree: B.Sc. or equivalent qualification in Food Science & Technology, Wine/Food Chemistry, Viticulture & Oenology or Microbiology/Biotechnology
• A minimum of 2 to 4 year’s working experience in R&D or Product Development environments, with exposure to Quality and Production areas within relatable industries
• Excellent computer literacy (e.g. MS-Office)
• Experience of product development activities and controls including legal, quality and safety aspects
• Basic knowledge of the wine, spirits and/or beverage industries and their production processes and techniques
• Practical experience of Laboratory processes and technologies
• Familiarity with Sensory Techniques and their application, as well as exposure to organoleptic/tasting activities
• Familiarity with product costing calculations (cost-in-use and design-to-cost)

Skills Required:

• Good report writing skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Exposure to formal Project Management and Quality and Food Safety Standards is desirable
• Experienced in multitasking and managing concurrent activities
• Good structural approach to problem-solving and root cause evaluation

Job Summary:

• Develop new and innovative liquid products in response to market demands and KWV’s strategic vision
• Keep abrest of local and global trends that may provide new opportunities for development
• Improve intrinsic formulation for existing products and brands in order to maintain profitability and quality outputs
• Support investigations into relevant technical or legislative changes that apply to our Industry and identify possible gaps/opportunities to explore
• Liaise with internal and external suppliers to manage product development requirements
• The financial management of developed products at R&D level and management of laboratory consumables and other requirements
• Evaluate and maintain flavours for the R&D library and ensure improved turn around on initial concept development
• Assist with problem-solving and investigations related to non-conforming products and materials in support of operational needs and risk management actions
• Conduct regular visits to production areas and materials warehousing to assist with identification of improvement opportunities, gain knowledge of current practices and sampling for development work and evaluation of non-confirming materials
• Support annual risk assessment activities and build knowledge related to production materials with compliance and food safety principles in mind
• Administration of projects, including setting up and managing testing schedules, conducting tasting panel events, capturing of records and reporting on completed actions
• Creating and reviewing of documentation and specifications under the control of R&D
• Understand and use the technical and legal frameworks within the industry (national and international) to support developments and meet client requirements