Group R&D Specialist (Beverages, Culinary, Dairy, Extrusions)

About the role

Promasidor is hiring multiple Group R&D Specialists across Beverages, Culinary, Dairy and Extrusions (Cereals and Snacks). The specialist leads the end-to-end R&D agenda for their category across all operating markets, reporting to the Group Head, R&D. They own the category innovation pipeline, from consumer-led briefs through formulation, scale-up and commercial launch, and act as the technical authority for the category. The position is open to candidates living in Promasidor's operating countries across Africa.

Key responsibilities

• Define and own the multi-year R&D plan for the category, aligned with brand, commercial and Group priorities, and build a fully costed pipeline of new product development, renovation and value-engineering projects.
• Lead end-to-end NPD: concept, formulation, lab and pilot trials, factory scale-up, sensory and consumer validation, and commercial launch, with complete documentation (specifications, BOMs, shelf-life dossiers, technical files).
• Ensure products meet regulatory and food-safety standards in each market (NAFDAC, SON, GSA, KEBS, FDB and others) and partner Quality and Regulatory teams on labelling, claims, fortification and shelf-life validation.
• Partner with Marketing and Insights on consumer briefs, with Procurement and Supply Chain on ingredient qualification and sourcing, and with Operations and Engineering on factory readiness and line trials.
• Maintain expertise in category flavour systems, evaluate emerging technologies and ingredients, and build relationships with suppliers, co-manufacturers and external technical partners.
• Lead, coach and develop the category R&D team across markets, set objectives, give structured feedback and build succession.

Required profile

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