Research & Development Officer – FMCG Products

About the role

The Research & Development Officer will lead the creation and optimisation of seasoning cubes, powders, tomato paste and jollof spice products for Evergreen Consumer Products. Working closely with the production and procurement teams, you will translate laboratory concepts into market‑ready formulations that meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory and pilot‑scale trials for new seasoning cubes, powders, and tomato paste formulations.
• Conduct competitor benchmarking and sensory comparisons to guide product innovation.
• Optimise ingredient combinations for taste, aroma, colour, texture, flowability and shelf‑life.
• Perform accelerated and real‑time shelf‑life studies, monitoring Brix, pH, viscosity, colour and microbial stability.
• Reformulate existing products to improve quality while reducing cost, evaluating alternative raw materials and suppliers.
• Collaborate with production during scale‑up, resolve formulation‑related issues and maintain master specifications.
• Organise and document sensory evaluation sessions, gathering feedback for continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Entry‑level degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition or related field.
• Minimum 12 months of experience in food product development or quality assurance.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to interpret laboratory data.
• Excellent communication skills for cross‑functional teamwork.

Required skills

• Formulation development
• Sensory evaluation
• Shelf‑life testing
• Laboratory trial execution
• Pilot‑scale production scaling