Group R&D Specialist

Promasidor is seeking multiple Group R&D Specialists across the following categories: Beverages, Culinary, Dairy, and Extrusions (Cereals and Snacks). The Group R&D specialist leads the end-to-end R&D agenda for its category portfolio across all operating markets. Reporting to the Group Head, R&D, the role owns the category innovation pipeline, from consumer-led briefs through formulation, scale-up, and commercial launch, and serves as the technical authority for the category across the Group.

This position is open to candidates residing in Promasidor operating countries across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Pipeline

• Define and own the multi-year R&D plan for the category, aligned with brand, commercial and Group innovation priorities.
• Build and prioritise a fully costed pipeline of new product development, renovation and value-engineering projects.
• Generate proprietary technology, ingredient and process ideas that drive distinctive competitive advantage.

Product Development & Launch

• Lead end-to-end NPD from concept through formulation, lab and pilot trials, factory scale-up, sensory and consumer validation, and commercial launch.
• Ensure robust documentation: specifications, BOMs, shelf-life dossiers, technical files and launch hand-overs.

Quality, Regulatory & Food Safety

• Ensure all category products meet regulatory and food-safety standards across operating markets (NAFDAC, SON, GSA, KEBS, FDB and others) and relevant international standards.
• Partner Quality and Regulatory teams on labelling, claims, fortification and shelf-life validation.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner Marketing and Insights to translate consumer briefs into winning technical concepts.
• Partner Procurement and Supply Chain on ingredient qualification, alternative sourcing and multi-source specifications.
• Partner Operations and Engineering on factory readiness, line trials and process robustness.

Technology, Sustainability & External Partnerships

• Maintain expert command of category flavour systems.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, ingredients and process improvements for the category.
• Build strong working relationships with key suppliers, co-manufacturers and external technical partners.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the category R&D team across markets.
• Set clear objectives, deliver structured feedback and build succession in the category.

Key Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science & Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition or related discipline; Master's preferred.
• 8–10 years' progressive R&D experience in FMCG, with strong specialisation in the category of interest or closely related categories.
• Hands-on experience with flavour development in specialist category
• Experience leading small technical teams and managing cross-functional projects.
• Strong project and stage-gate discipline; consumer and commercial mindset.