Bakeries Specialist

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! The Bakery Specialist is a senior technical specialist within Research & Development responsible for providing expert bakery science and manufacturing support across the Albany bakery network. The role serves as the critical link between product development, third-party technical partners, suppliers, and bakery manufacturing operations to ensure products, processes, and innovations are scalable, cost-effective, and capable of delivering consistent manufacturing performance. The position requires advanced technical expertise, significant independent problem-solving capability, and influence across multiple functions and business units **WHAT YOU WILL DO:** **Bakery Technical Leadership** * Provide specialised baking science expertise to support manufacturing, process optimisation, quality improvement, and innovation initiatives. * Serve as the technical authority for bakery formulations, ingredient functionality, process controls, and recipe governance. * Support bakeries in resolving complex product and process challenges through structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis. **Product Development & Commercialisation** * Assess technical feasibility of innovation and renovation opportunities. * Develop and optimise bakery products in line with project briefs and consumer requirements. * Lead the transition of products from development through commercial implementation. * Validate successful manufacturing implementation to ensure quality, consistency, and consumer satisfaction. **Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimisation** * Drive formulation and process improvements that improve quality, efficiency, and competitiveness. * Lead value analysis initiatives to reduce costs while maintaining product performance and customer experience. * Identify and evaluate emerging bakery technologies and industry trends. **Knowledge Requirements** Requires: * High-level expertise across multiple specialised bakery disciplines. * Advanced understanding of bakery manufacturing, ingredient functionality, formulation science, and industrial baking processes. * Ability to interpret complex scientific, technical, operational, and regulatory information. **People Leadership** Although the role has no direct reports, it: * Allocates work to project participants and technical resources. * Coordinates activities across functions. * Provides leadership through technical expertise and influence. **Communication Requirements** The Bakery Specialist must be capable of understanding and interpreting: * Complex scientific research. * Technical reports and project briefs. * Industry legislation and regulatory requirements. **WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:** **Qualifications** **Essential** * Bachelor's Degree, National Diploma, or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Cereal Science, Bakery Science, or a related discipline. **Experience** **Essential** * Minimum 5 years' industrial bakery experience. * Proven experience in commercial bakery manufacturing environments. * Demonstrated expertise in bakery process optimisation and troubleshooting. **Preferred** * Up to 10 years' experience in bakery manufacturing, product development, or technical specialist roles. #LI-KM3 In accordance with the employment equity plan of Tiger Brands and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.