Research & Development Technical Officer

The R&D Technical Assistant is responsible for the formulation, testing, and development of new products, as well as, improvement of existing products.

General duties:

Product Formulations

• Formulation and development of new product prototypes, laboratory blends, and pilot samples for testing.
• Conduct laboratory trials and assist with production line trials to support scale-up from lab to commercial production.
• Develop and maintain preliminary costing formulations, batch cards, and Bill of Materials (BOMs) for all new or reformulated products.
• Assist with the review of new packaging designs and artwork during the development phase.
• Verify regulatory and product labelling compliance with market requirements.
• Collaborate with the New Product Development (NPD) team to ensure timely execution of project milestones.

Product Testing and Evaluation

• Perform laboratory testing and evaluation of new products, raw materials, and packaging components.
• Conduct stability studies, validation, and shelf-life testing, including data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Organize and conduct in-house sensory evaluations and product benchmarking against competitors.
• Prepare and distribute product samples for internal and external evaluations as required.

Research and Technical Support

• Conduct research on emerging market and industry trends, including new ingredients, packaging innovations, and regulatory updates.
• Prepare technical summaries, presentations, and reports on research findings for the R&D & NPD teams.
• • Participate in process improvement initiatives by understanding plant processes and providing technical input to enhance product quality and efficiency.

   

  Documentation and Data Management

  • Maintain accurate and detailed records of all laboratory and line trials, test results, and evaluations.
  • Prepare and update product specifications, new development plans, and related documentation.
  • Ensure organization and filing of electronic and physical R&D databases, records, including regulatory, compliance.

  Laboratory Operations

  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment to ensure proper function, calibration, and cleanliness.
  • Manage the organization and storage of R&D samples, ensuring proper labelling and traceability.
  • Liaise with Procurement for sourcing new raw and packaging materials.

  General and Administrative Duties

• Act as a back-up for Laboratory Technicians in their absence or during vacation periods.
• Participate in job-related training and development programs as required, including potential overseas training.
• Undergo any job-related training required by the company, including foreign travel
• Adhere to all established departmental and company policies, GMP, food safety, and HSE standards.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Chief Quality Officer.