IRD Specialist

At National Foods Limited, we are on a journey of growth and on building our most valuable assets which include our brands, financial strength, global presence, and our unbridled commitment to becoming a truly sustainable and a renowned company in the world.

Job Purpose:

To improve and evolve NFL’s product ranges in line with changing consumer preferences, regulatory requirements and evolving markets trends and ensure that all product developments are executed seamlessly from concept through to launch.

Job Responsibilities:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to brainstorm and develop new food product ideas in line with market trends and consumer demands
• Work closely with the Marketing team and relevant IRD Manager to analyse market trends, competitor products, and consumer preferences to identify opportunities for product innovation and improvements
• Create and refine food product recipes, considering factors such as taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional content and determine the appropriate combination and proportions of ingredients to achieve the desired product attributes e.g. taste, shelf life, and cost-effectiveness
• Stay abreast of food safety regulations to ensure that all product development activities meet legal and regulatory requirements e.g. labelling, nutrition facts, and allergen declarations
• Seek to optimize ingredient costs while maintaining product quality and taste which may include evaluating alternative ingredients and production methods
• Work closely with the Quality Control team to ensure the relevant quality control procedures are established to ensure consistency and safety in the production process
• Organize and conduct sensory panels to assess product attributes, make improvements, and gather consumer feedback
• Manage the end-to-end product development process from concept through to launch which may include but not be limited to setting timelines, allocating resources, testing, and tracking progress to ensure timely product launches
• Work with the Manufacturing team to scale up the production process from lab-scale to commercial production
• Work closely who the Procurement team to Identify and evaluate potential suppliers for ingredients and raw materials, ensuring they meet quality and safety standards
• Work closely with the Supply Chain and Manufacturing to explore sustainable ingredient sourcing and production methods to reduce the environmental impact of food products
• Maintain comprehensive records of recipe formulations, ingredient specifications, quality control procedures, and regulatory compliance documentation
• Continuously seek to improve existing products and processes to enhance product quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices through ongoing education and training

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline with 3-5 years of experience

Or

• Postgraduate degree in relevant discipline with 1-2 years of experience

We at National Foods are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that values and supports diversity. We believe that a diverse workforce drives innovation and creativity. Hence, we encourage and actively seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, religions, and abilities, to contribute to our mission of driving positive change in the world. If you require any additional support, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application for us to better support your recruitment journey.

National Foods Limited provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.