At RCL Foods, we believe in growing what matters! As a leading food manufacturer, our goal is to nourish people with a portfolio of trusted brands and products. We are committed to innovation, sustainability, and the development of our employees.
We at RCL FOODS are in search for an NPD Process Technologist to join our Baking Business Unit. The role will be based in Centurion and report to the New Product Development Manager.
The NPD Process Technologist is the link between the product development kitchen and the production line. Responsible to ensure that new products make a smooth transition from trial and testing stages to full production.
The NPD Process Technologist ensures that trial factory production runs take place with the outcomes reported to all relevant staff. Identify any critical issues, make recommendations for improvements, measure yields and make sure that everything complies with quality and customer expectations
In some instances the NPD Process Technologist may also be responsible for trialling new processing equipment - either in support of a new product launch or to make improvements to current production processes.
New Product Development
Responsible for the implementation of new products developed by the NPD Team in the factories that will ensure a successful product launch, ensuring that product consistency is achieved throughout the entire process
Schedule and manage production line trials and re-evaluations making sure that everything has gone to plan
Understand company production processes and flag up any potential problems to the NPD team at early development stages.
Initiate solutions to production issues / problems / capacity constraints.
Develop and co-ordinate practical schedules for product launches
Liaise with purchasing colleagues to ensure that all incoming stock for factory trial runs is in place.
Management of the critical path from the factory trial stage to ensure projects are successfully completed in line with agreed timescales and keeping key personnel aware of any updates and delays.
Technical & Quality Management
Ensure that Factory Trials take place with the outcomes reported to all relevant teams, measure yields and make sure that everything complies with customer expectations.
Facilitate customer visits during production trials.
Initiate and trial new processing equipment - either in support of a new product launch or to make improvements to current production processes.
Conduct ongoing investigations into production processes and make recommendations for improvements if necessary.
Ensure that operating procedures, quality contracts and specifications are written correctly for each new product and available to relevant staff
Technical Expertise and Insight
Identify any critical issues, and make recommendations regarding processes of equipment for improvements.
Support initial production runs and be available to troubleshoot and provide expert advice if necessary
Compile reports capturing key data, scale-up and methods, QAS, qualitative and quantitative standards, yields and process waste.
Ensuring that kitchen components and finished product samples are retained for reference and future benchmarking against 1st trial & customer launch sign-offs.
Organise and perform shelf-life and organoleptic testing of retained samples to ensure product safety and quality against agreed QAS.
Monitor any changes to the NPD recipe and processes that will result in increased product costs. Report any deviations whilst agreeing on corrective actions as appropriate.
To arrange and conduct factory trials and full scale-up 1st production runs ensuring that the technical information supporting the new product is correct and up to date.
Ensure factory manufactured products adhere to customer specifications throughout the product lifecycle by attending taste panels and customer reviews.
- Qualified Food Technologist
- Numerical and verbal aptitude, strong communicator.
- Intermediate computer skills (especially excel and word)
- A valid driving license
- Minimum 2 year’s proven experience running process trials within food manufacturing
- Processing innovation in terms of equipment/process
- NPD experience from concept to launch would be advantageous
- Exposure to either retailers or foodservice customers
- Great attention to detail and the ability to effectively manage simultaneous projects
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
