DO YOU HAVE THE APPITITE TO GROW YOUR MAGIC?

Consumers everywhere are increasingly conscious of the quality of the food they eat. Puratos develops, produces, and distributes a unique range of ingredients for bakers, pastry-chefs and chocolatiers who demand the very highest quality.

Founded in Belgium in 1919, From humble beginnings to worldwide success, join us on our journey and discover our history and heritage.

We’ve evolved from a father-and-son start-up in Belgium, to a global group with more than 9000 employees, 93 innovation centers, and more than 65 manufacturing operations across 81 countries to date. It’s with great pride that we look back on this century of hard work, courage, and innovation. Thank you for making it all possible and let’s continue building the next 100 years of shared success!

Our passion for innovation, pioneering spirit, and core value our communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Based at our Gauteng branch , in oder to further strengthen our global Research & Development team, we are currently seeking a:

R&D Application Specialist – (Johannesburg, South Africa)

The successful candidate for this role will report directly to the R&D Executive.

II .- MISSION

We believe that people will attach more and more importance to the quality of their food and search for diversity & new experiences. We believe that our diverse customers will require adjusted products & services. A key element for success is the technical support that is requested both internally and by our customers.  Our innovation centres are the place where our technical teams create a great customer experience.

The R&D Application Specialist’s mission is to develop business at large bakery key accounts, in close collaboration with business development teams, by deploying high end technical expertise. 

Together with the key account team, they manage projects by proposing and implementing innovative solutions on their lines and by troubleshooting issues at large account customers.

Together with R&D, they contribute to formulation in new product development.

III. – KEY TASKS

Main activities:

• Implementation of new products and concepts on industrial lines
• participate in the early stages of new developments and the creation of demo concepts
• Understand R-A-P approach required for successful implementation.
• Trouble shooting at customers.
• To ensure existing sales or to develop new business opportunities.
• Capable to associate different Puratos technologies in finished products.

Business development activities:

• Identify new business opportunities at bakery patisserie large account customers.
• Turn new business opportunities into new products and sales and implement them on the customer’s production lines.
• Detect products at risk.

IV. – JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Matric (Grade 12) and Degree in Food Science or relevant degree.
• 10-15 years’ experience in Baking industry (compulsory).
• Computer literacy: MS Office suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word), SharePoint and WMS (Johannesburg branch only)
• Communicate with staff at all levels; communicate with persons outside the organisation; negotiate with customers; establish and maintain interpersonal relationships.
• Written comprehension – the ability to read and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Good communication skills - English is a prerequisite.
• Ability to read and write in English and any other language(s)
• Good personality, hardworking, team work, service orientated, creative, innovative, trustworthy, open to learn from feedback

V. – REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Collaborating effectively: spontaneously helps team members, networking, sharing information/results.
• Communicating effectively: actively listening, reporting, provides clear explanations that are easy to follow.
• Driving performances: results-driven, persistent, planning & prioritizing, solving problems
• Training\facilitating effectively: facilitation skills, flexible, strong presentation skills, grounded, openness, persistent.
• Improving continuously: adapts flexibly to changes, open to learn from feedback
• Managing customer needs: understanding customer environment, builds and maintains relationship of customers, implement most suitable solutions that meet customer expectations.

OFFER

Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package (salary, and market related benefits) but additionally, offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.

Interested persons who meet the requirements may apply at

www.chipkinspuratos.co.za

CLOSING DATE: 18 March 2026

NB: For our internal employees, please use SuccessFactors to put in your application(s) except for Warehouse and Production Floor staff.