Development Technologist

Reporting: NPD Manager / Technical Executive
Locations: Main: Westlake,
Others: Maitland, Montague Gardens, Muizenberg
*Please note that the location of this role may move from Westlake to the northern suburbs of Cape Town.

Cape Herb & Spice has grown from entrepreneurial roots into a global FMCG player, employing over 500 people and operating across 5 sites in Cape Town. Centered around innovation and quality, Cape Herb and Spice gives any candidate a great opportunity to gain extensive international experience and build an exciting career.

Role Objective:
We are looking for a dynamic Development Technologist to work closely with our Product Developer. In this role, you will ensure that all technical and regulatory compliance requirements are met across projects and innovation initiatives. You will be responsible for seeing multiple concurrent projects through from concept to factory implementation, which involves collaborating with internal teams such as Operations, QA, Procurement, and Sales, as well as liaising with external partners including suppliers and customers. The role requires high-level thinking and problem-solving to overcome challenges throughout the development process, while ensuring that all products meet the required regulatory, quality, and safety standards.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoys translating innovative ideas into commercially viable, compliant products.

Key Functional Duties:

• Keep abreast of, relevant regulations and research new concepts, trends, market activity and innovation related to the products we produce and we sell

• Support in developing successful, commercially viable products that are sustainable and in line with the trends and intended target market

• Project manage and assist in executing all stages of the product development process within given deadlines to ensure the product is launched on time and all details recorded is accurate and meets customer requirements.

• Ensure product conforms to country of sale specific regulations on product and packaging.

• Support in sustainable sourcing of new raw materials and packaging from compliant suppliers

• Perform supplier approval of new ingredients and suppliers linked to the project you work on

• Ensure NPD compliance is in line with company certifications, for both tea, spice and groceries. Work collaboratively with Product Developer to maintain & update accordingly.

• Creating and maintaining product specifications & in process specifications

• Review of product labels & specifications / standards for customer and legislative compliance.

• Support in liaising & thorough communication between internal operational departments on all new projects to ensure effective launches (production briefings).

• Support in effective execution of launches within internal departments.

• Technical support in problem solving within the department and to internal departments.

• Recipe tastings & testing of products to ensure that product is safe and of acceptable quality.

• Lead in factory trials, travel tests and shelf life.

Education & Required Knowledge:

• Below qualification or equivalent. 1 – 2 years' work experience:
- Food Technology
- Consumer Science
- Bsc Food Science

• Advantageous experience in:
- Project Management
- Product Development

• Computer Literacy (Microsoft office)

• Excel Fluency – Intermediate level

• Microsoft 365 experience advantageous (Sharepoint)

• Excellent verbal and written communication in English

• Own Transport required + Valid drivers license

Personal Characteristics:

• Deadline driven

• Proactive and enthusiastic

• High attention to detail

• Ability to work in a high pressure and fast paced environment

• Ability to multi- task between multiple projects

• A creative thinker

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Optimistic solution finder

• Commercially minded

• Excellent communication skills and presentable

• Strong interpersonal skills

• A passionate & knowledgeable foodie

• Willingness to participate & learn

If you have not received a response within two weeks of application, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

To consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), provides that when one processes another's personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person's personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

To give effect to the above, we are required to provide you with information regarding the processing of your personal information. This information is recorded under the HR Processing Notice, which can be accessed and viewed on the Company website at Printed copies of this Processing Notice can also be accessed from the HR department. We kindly request that you read the HR Processing Notice to ensure that you understand how Libstar uses and processes your personal information.

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