64 Food Innovation jobs in South Africa

Location: Maitland, Cape Town
Reporting to: Managing Director

Main Purpose of the Job:

Is to lead the development and management of innovative raw materials by combining food science expertise with commercial strategy to meet market and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Bachelors in Food Science, Food Technology, or related a related field

Experience

Minimum of 5 years in product development within the food industry, preferably with focus on raw materials.
Experience in a product management role with exposure to sales and marketing functions is advantageous.

Competencies

Innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Customer-focused mindset with a drive to meet market needs.
Adaptability to changing market conditions and business priorities.
Business acumen.
Drivers licence and travel is required.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Development:

Lead the development and improvement of raw materials, ensuring they meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Quality Assurance, and Marketing, to bring new products from concept to market.

Conduct sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies to validate product performance.
Market Analysis & Strategy:

Analyses market trends and consumer preferences to identify opportunities for new product development.

Develop and implement product strategies that align with company objectives and market demands.

Sales Support:

Provide technical support to the sales team, including product presentations and customer consultations.

Assist in developing sales materials and training programs to enhance product knowledge within the sales force.

Regulatory Compliance:

Ensure all products comply with local and international food safety regulations and standards.

Maintain accurate documentation for product specifications and regulatory submissions.

• Support all stages of cheese and butter making: pasteurization, culturing, churning, molding, and packaging
• Participate in quality control testing (texture, taste, microbiological safety, labeling)
• Maintain hygiene and adherence to GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations
• Record production data and assist with ingredient inventory
• Help develop and test new dairy products under supervision
• Work collaboratively with experienced staff to resolve production and quality challenges
• Follow sustainability and waste minimization best practices

• Enrolled in or recently completed a Diploma/Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or related field
• Keen interest in dairy product manufacturing and artisan food production
• Basic understanding of laboratory testing and food safety principles
• Good teamwork skills, communication, and willingness to learn
• Attention to hygiene, detail, and safe food handling
• Physical ability for manual production tasks
• Available to work January 2026 to January 2027

• Learn cheese and butter production from the ground up
• Exposure to food safety, quality management, and R&D
• Mentorship by experienced dairy technologists and managers
• Participate in product innovation and process improvement
• Friendly, ethical, and supportive team culture

In the framework of a DAAD-funded project focused on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science, the University of the Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) is seeking to appoint a Research Chair at the level of Associate Professor/Professor, starting from 1 March 2026.The Chair is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

A key component of this project is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of the Western Cape, dedicated to sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, as well as applied agricultural and food and nutritional data science. The centre’s primary objective is to further develop the expertise of doctoral students, early-career researchers, and university lecturers through application-oriented and transdisciplinary research in agri-food systems and applied data science. It also aims to enhance teaching methodologies and mentorship programmes within these interdisciplinary fields.

The Centre is established within a German-African university consortium, co-led by the University of Hohenheim and the University of the Western Cape, with the University of Pretoria and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources as core partners and the University of Mpumalanga as associate partner.

Within the Centre, a Research Chair is created to advance the linkage between agri-food systems research and data science. The Research Chair will, together with the management team, lead and coordinate the activities of the Centre, and serve as a liaison between the Centre and the research groups at the partnering institutions (including the NRF-funded Research Chair on farming systems at the University of Mpumalanga). The duration of the contract position is tied to the project’s duration which ends December 2029.The position is financed by the DAAD with funds from the BMFTR, reporting directly to the Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for Research and Innovation at the University of the Western Cape.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Establish and advance an independent research agenda aligned with the Centre’s research themes;
• Strengthen the research profile of the Centre via active participation, postdoctoral and PhD supervision, publications, and innovative contributions;
• Facilitate learning events affiliated to resilient food systems and agri-food data sciences;
• Spearhead the liaison between the Centre and the research groups at the partnering institutions in the consortium with the aim of deepening the synergistic relationships and creating possibilities for creating new opportunities and channels of funding;
• Work with the eResearch Office, the Information and Communication Services (ICS) on Research Data Management (RDM) and High Performance Computing issues related to agri-food systems;
• Facilitate research grants and learning and/or teaching stays for German doctoral students, university lecturers and (young) researchers in South Africa;
• Facilitate regular webinars and seminars on Resilient Food Systems and Agri-Food Data Science;
• Develop mechanisms for long term sustainability of the Centre of Excellence;
• Work with relevant departments on the establishment of agri-food data science short courses for the industry.

• You must be a citizen of an EU member state.
• Applicants (m/f/d) should generally have lived in the Federal Republic of Germany for the last two years before applying. Close contact with a German university is also essential during the period abroad.
• Possession of a Ph.D. in one of the following fields: Data Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Food Systems/Agriculture with a demonstrated expertise in Data Science applications.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate data science courses at a German University.
• A track record of quality peer-reviewed publications in accredited journals and conferences, and research in data science, preferably in the context of Agri-food Systems.
• A track record of successful postgraduate supervision of both Masters and PhD students in Data Science and/or Agri-food Systems.
• Evidence of international presence in data science related research fields.
• Evidence of leadership experience and ability to work in multinational and multicultural research environments.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• a cover letter outlining your interest.
• a separate description of your research vision for the Centre of Excellence.
• a curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• contact information for three referees.
• a brief teaching dossier, preferably on data science and food systems related modules including teaching evaluations.

Research Chair: Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science

Post Number

8653

Faculty/Department

University of the Western Cape -> Natural Sciences -> Natural Sciences Faculty Administration

Type of Position

Fixed Term Contract

Length of Contract Period

N/A

Location

Closing Date

15/10/2025

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

In the framework of a DAAD-funded project focused on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science, the University of the Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) is seeking to appoint a Research Chair at the level of Associate Professor/Professor, starting from 1 March 2026.The Chair is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

A key component of this project is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of the Western Cape, dedicated to sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, as well as applied agricultural and food and nutritional data science. The centre’s primary objective is to further develop the expertise of doctoral students, early-career researchers, and university lecturers through application-oriented and transdisciplinary research in agri-food systems and applied data science. It also aims to enhance teaching methodologies and mentorship programmes within these interdisciplinary fields.

The Centre is established within a German-African university consortium, co-led by the University of Hohenheim and the University of the Western Cape, with the University of Pretoria and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources as core partners and the University of Mpumalanga as associate partner.

Within the Centre, a Research Chair is created to advance the linkage between agri-food systems research and data science. The Research Chair will, together with the management team, lead and coordinate the activities of the Centre, and serve as a liaison between the Centre and the research groups at the partnering institutions (including the NRF-funded Research Chair on farming systems at the University of Mpumalanga). The duration of the contract position is tied to the project’s duration which ends December 2029.The position is financed by the DAAD with funds from the BMFTR, reporting directly to the Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for Research and Innovation at the University of the Western Cape.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Establish and advance an independent research agenda aligned with the Centre’s research themes;
• Strengthen the research profile of the Centre via active participation, postdoctoral and PhD supervision, publications, and innovative contributions;
• Facilitate learning events affiliated to resilient food systems and agri-food data sciences;
• Spearhead the liaison between the Centre and the research groups at the partnering institutions in the consortium with the aim of deepening the synergistic relationships and creating possibilities for creating new opportunities and channels of funding;
• Work with the eResearch Office, the Information and Communication Services (ICS) on Research Data Management (RDM) and High Performance Computing issues related to agri-food systems;
• Facilitate research grants and learning and/or teaching stays for German doctoral students, university lecturers and (young) researchers in South Africa;
• Facilitate regular webinars and seminars on Resilient Food Systems and Agri-Food Data Science;
• Develop mechanisms for long term sustainability of the Centre of Excellence;
• Work with relevant departments on the establishment of agri-food data science short courses for the industry.
• You must be a citizen of an EU member state.
• Applicants (m/f/d) should generally have lived in the Federal Republic of Germany for the last two years before applying. Close contact with a German university is also essential during the period abroad.
• Possession of a Ph.D. in one of the following fields: Data Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Food Systems/Agriculture with a demonstrated expertise in Data Science applications.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate data science courses at a German University.
• A track record of quality peer-reviewed publications in accredited journals and conferences, and research in data science, preferably in the context of Agri-food Systems.
• A track record of successful postgraduate supervision of both Masters and PhD students in Data Science and/or Agri-food Systems.
• Evidence of international presence in data science related research fields.
• Evidence of leadership experience and ability to work in multinational and multicultural research environments.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• a separate description of your research vision for the Centre of Excellence.
• a curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• contact information for three referees.
• a brief teaching dossier, preferably on data science and food systems related modules including teaching evaluations.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

One of our clients in Durban is looking for a Product Development Engineer to join their engineering product design manufacturing company!

Requirements include :

• Degree in Electrical Engineering
• ECSA professional registration advantageous
• Minimum of 5 years experience
• Electrical Power transmission experience advantageous
• Sound knowledge of CADD

Correspondence will only be conducted with short listed candidates. Should you not hear from us within 3 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Reference: CPT000257-GW-4

We are looking for a Product Development Technologist in the flavour, ingredient and colour industry. It is essential that you have experience in flavour formulations within the sweet division.

Requirements:

• Diploma/Degree – Food Technology/Food Science
• 2-5 years’ experience with product development
• Deadline driven
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Know how to put flavour/seasoning formulations together

• Formulate new flavours
• Flavour modification on existing products
• Develop and manipulate application formulation
• Compounding of samples
• Conducting sensory panels
• Source for new ingredients and evaluate raw materials
• Compiling of product specifications and process methods

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Monthly

A Leading Financial Services client requires a Product Development Analyst to assist in formulating the overall strategy and design of products, features, and engagement processes.

• Assist in formulating the overall strategy and design of products, features, and engagement processes.
• Conduct trend analysis within digital services.
• Take ownership of financial models used in the planning and forecasting process.
• Manage the end-to-end life cycle of products and their distribution channels, including ideation, design, and management of features.

Matric / Grade 12

Tertiary Qualification - Bachelor's Degree or higher essential.
Minimum of 2 years of working experience in a strategy, business development, product development, management consulting, or digital services role within the Financial Services / Banking environment.
Demonstrated passion for financial technology and digital banking.

Salary: Market Related