A chocolate manufacturing company in Dubai is looking for an experienced New Product Development Specialist – NPD Specialist to join its product development and manufacturing team at Dubai Investment Park 2 (DIP 2).
Job Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Work Location: Dubai Investment Park 2 (DIP 2)
Industry: Chocolate Manufacturing / FMCG / Food Manufacturing
Job Type: Full-Time
The NPD Specialist will be responsible for supporting the development of new chocolate and confectionery products from initial concept and formulation through product testing, trials, scale-up, and commercial production. The role requires strong knowledge of food technology, formulation, food safety, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing processes.
The successful candidate will work closely with R&D, Production, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and Marketing teams to develop innovative products that meet consumer expectations, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and commercial objectives.
This opportunity is particularly suitable for food technologists, food scientists, food product developers, and NPD professionals with experience in FMCG, chocolate, confectionery, sweet goods, or related food manufacturing industries.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and improve new chocolate, confectionery, and other food products based on product concepts and market requirements.
- Conduct product formulation, ingredient selection, recipe development, and prototype preparation.
- Plan and conduct laboratory trials, product testing, and sensory evaluations.
- Coordinate product development activities from concept development through commercialization.
- Conduct factory trials and support the transition of new products from laboratory or pilot scale to commercial production.
- Work with Production teams to optimize formulations and manufacturing processes for large-scale production.
- Monitor product trials to ensure consistency in taste, texture, appearance, functionality, and overall product quality.
- Evaluate raw materials and ingredients for suitability in new product formulations.
- Work closely with Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams to ensure products meet established specifications and food safety requirements.
- Support the preparation and maintenance of product specifications, formulations, trial reports, and technical documentation.
- Review food labeling requirements, ingredient declarations, allergen information, nutrition information, and product claims.
- Ensure new product concepts and formulations comply with applicable food regulations and labeling requirements.
- Coordinate with Marketing teams to translate product concepts and consumer requirements into technically feasible formulations.
- Collaborate with Procurement and suppliers to identify suitable ingredients, packaging materials, and alternative raw materials.
- Conduct product benchmarking and evaluate competitor products, ingredients, sensory characteristics, and market trends.
- Participate in shelf-life studies and product stability evaluations where required.
- Investigate product development issues and recommend appropriate technical improvements.
- Support cost optimization of formulations while maintaining product quality and specifications.
- Maintain accurate records of formulation changes, product trials, testing results, and development activities.
- Assist in developing standardized recipes, manufacturing parameters, and product specifications for approved products.
- Support continuous improvement and renovation of existing chocolate and confectionery products.
- Ensure successful handover of finalized products and processes to Production and Quality teams.
- Coordinate multiple NPD projects and ensure development activities are completed within agreed timelines.
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Biotechnology, Food Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Relevant professional experience in New Product Development (NPD), Research & Development (R&D), Product Development, or Food Technology.
- Experience in the FMCG, CPG, food manufacturing, chocolate, confectionery, bakery, sweet goods, or related food industries is preferred.
- Practical experience in food formulation, product trials, testing, scale-up, and commercialization.
- Good understanding of food ingredients, formulation principles, processing conditions, and manufacturing operations.
- Knowledge of food safety, quality systems, food regulations, and product specifications.
- Familiarity with food labeling, allergen declarations, nutrition facts, and product claims.
- Ability to coordinate effectively with R&D, Production, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and Marketing teams.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple product development activities in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Strong attention to detail and a practical approach to product development and troubleshooting.
- Experience working in a commercial food manufacturing facility is an advantage.
Key Skills
- New Product Development (NPD)
- Food Product Development
- Chocolate Product Development
- Confectionery Development
- Food Formulation
- Recipe Development
- Product Testing
- Pilot and Factory Trials
- Scale-Up and Commercialization
- Food Technology
- Food Science
- Food Regulations
- Food Labeling
- Allergen Management
- Nutrition Facts
- Product Claims
- Sensory Evaluation
- FMCG Food Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance
- Cross-Functional Coordination
This NPD Specialist position offers an opportunity for a qualified Food Technologist or Food Scientist to work within the chocolate manufacturing sector in Dubai and contribute to the development and commercialization of new food products.
Professionals with hands-on experience in chocolate manufacturing, confectionery product development, food formulation, NPD trials, and FMCG product commercialization may find this role particularly relevant to their career background.
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