Research and Development Technologist - Hammarsdale at Rainbow Chicken

Job Advert Summary    
RAINBOW CHICKEN is seeking an R&D Technologist to join our Technical team based in KZN-Hammarsdale. The role reports to the R&D Executive. The successful incumbent will be responsible to support research, planning, coordination and execution of:

•  New product development
•  Product Quality improvements
•  Cost saving initiatives
•  Product and process technical support 
• From concept brief to product launch.

Minimum Requirements    

• Education and Qualifications
• A Diploma in Food Technology or similar
• Degree in Food Science or BTech in food technology would be advantageous
• Valid driver’s licence

Experience and Training 

•  Graduate or less than 3 years’ experience in a Food-related FMCG environment with preferably in a R&D role.
•  Required to travel and occasionally work irregular hours 
•  Required to work in different environments – factory and office
•  Participation in required taste sessions

Knowledge

•  General R&D principles
•  Food safety and quality management
•  Production and process management
•  National Food legislation - GMP, HACCP, CPA, R146 compliance requirements,
•  Relevant industry standards, SANS

Skills 

•  Planning and organisation 
•  Computer literacy – Excel, word, PowerPoint.
•  Electronic Presentations
•  Product presentations
•  Verbal and written communication 
•  Record keeping and data collection (numbers and observations)
•  Data Processing

Duties and Responsibilities    

• Strategy Into Action
•  Actively research technology, operational knowledge and processes 

New Product Development:

•  Understand project scope and execute NPD system requirements (electronic documentation)
•  Assist in product brief execution according to project scope requirements (Trials, product samples, tastes sessions, product analysis – shelf life/nutritionals etc)
•  Assist in coordinating multi-disciplinary teams including relevant internal and selected external stakeholders – pretrial meetings and supplier briefs
•  Collect and record data to provide insights on the current and/or new materials, machine requirements, process flows, labour compliments, throughputs etc.

Product quality and Cost saving:

•  Identify product quality improvements and cost saving initiatives.
•  Support and execute the agreed product quality improvements and cost saving initiatives 
•  Collect and record data to provide insights on the current and/or new materials, machine requirements, process flows, labour compliments, throughputs etc.

Team coordinate and self-management:

•  Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities
•  Demonstrate self-drive and effective self-management
•  Drive and actively participate in regular performance appraisals and ensure that own targets and goals are relevant, clear and achievable
•  Develop and drive achievement of personal individual development plans.
•  Support and drive the business core values

Technical Expertise and insight 

•  Gain practical expertise and insights through active engagement during trials and meetings
•  Ensure regular and interactive engagement with multi-disciplinary plant teams to gain understanding of products and processes
•  Actively pursue understanding and answers to problems that arising during in project team meetings through plant engagement and research 

Customer Relationship Management (internal)

•  Drives technical customer service through KPI and efficiency achievement 
•  Engage regularly with customers to gain understanding of their needs

Operations management

•  Support the implemention of simplified production processes to increase operational effectiveness and efficiencies
•  Support the implementation of optimal plant line efficiencies through all new developments and cost saving projects
•  Support the Implemention of production processes that enables the plant to reduce plant wastages to a minimum 
•  Conduct accurate time and motion studies
•  Ensure effective use of raw material into recipe formulations

Compliance Management

•  Champion the adherence to all legislative and industry standards
•  Manages actions were required to ensure that there are no areas of non-compliance