Job Description

The R&D Executive is responsible for the development, optimization and industrialization of margarine, spreads and vegetable fat systems, managing projects independently from concept to commercialization.

The role acts as technical project owner, coordinating laboratory and pilot plant activities and collaborating cross-functionally with Production, QA, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Marketing and Sales.

Responsibilities

Independently manage product development projects (NPD and renovation) for retail and industrial margarine, shortening, functional fat system, vegetable oil and fat blends.

Develop and optimize formulations based on melting profile, crystallization behavior, plasticity and spreadability, oxidative stability.

Apply strong knowledge of fat chemistry and water-in-oil emulsion system

Design and execute experiments to optimize:

        • Cost

        • Crystal structure

        • Emulsion stability

        • Shelf life stability

        • Texture and application performance (bakery, cooking, whipping)

Plan and lead laboratory, pilot plant and industrial trials

Optimize processing parameters (cooling rate, crystallization etc.) in relation to formulation requirements

Troubleshoot common margarine and fat blend challenges and issues

Coordinate and supervise pilot plant technicians during trials

Support scale-up and industrialization activities

Collaborate with QA and Regulatory to ensure compliance with local and export regulations

Prepare technical documentation including TDS, product specifications and SAP master data

Present technical results and project updates to internal stakeholders

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related discipline

Minimum 3–5 years of experience in R&D within:

        • Margarine and/or shortening

        • Fat systems and water-in-oil emulsion

Strong knowledge of:

        • Oils Fat chemistry 

        • Lipid crystallization

        • Margarine technology (pilot plant and industrial line)

        • Oxidative stability

Experience in pilot plant operations and industrial scale-up

Experience in experiments design and data analysis

Skills