Job Description

This position offers a wonderful opportunity to join the dynamic Babylonstoren team and contribute to the expansion of our food product offering. The ideal candidate is solution-driven, with experience in ready-to-eat (RTE) and long-life foods, product development, and food quality assurance processes. The successful candidate must possess strong leadership qualities, work effectively in a cross-functional team, and take ownership of the role's responsibilities. This opportunity suits a highly motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can easily adapt to changing market and organisational needs. An innovative and adaptable mindset will be key to delivering successful outcomes and achieving long-term job satisfaction.
Requirements:

• BSc Food Science, BTech Food Technology, or a Culinary Arts qualification with 5-8 years' experience (RTE product experience advantageous).

• Proven, relevant industry experience and knowledge across a wide range of RTE products.

• Proven experience in product development, including both kitchen and factory trials.

• Understanding of high- and low-risk food processing and effective segregation practices.

• Experience in driving product improvements.

• Experience in implementing process improvements within a factory environment.

• Understanding of critical control factors and chemical analysis to ensure food products are maintained in their optimum state.

• Working knowledge of packaging functionality and applications.

• Knowledge of food safety principles and practices.

Desired competencies and skills:

• Project management skills for the successful delivery of key initiatives.

• Ability to capture structured and detailed documentation of kitchen and factory trials and processes.

• Well-versed in relevant food safety, labelling, and regulatory legislation.

• Team-player attitude with the ability to work effectively in a diverse and collaborative team environment.

• Commitment to excellence, high standards, and a continuous improvement mindset.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Well-developed sensory skills with diverse food experience and exposure.

• Strong capabilities in project management, strategic planning, and operational development.

• Fluency in Afrikaans and English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Assertive conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities:

• Develop innovative, high-quality products that align with Babylonstoren's brand values of quality, freshness, innovation, inspiration, food safety, and value.

• Lead recipe development for RTE products.

• Manage kitchen and factory trials, including documentation and chemical analysis.

• Prepare and maintain quality assurance documentation, such as process flows and product specifications for new products.

• Lead product and process audits to improve existing products and ensure consistent high quality.

• Conduct shelf-life assessments and implement findings (microbially and organoleptically).

• Source and approve raw materials according to specifications for new ingredients.

• Troubleshoot quality issues and perform root-cause analyses with the quality team when recipe changes are required.

• Uphold international food manufacturing and processing standards, applying knowledge and experience of cutting-edge equipment and processing technology.

Skills Required