Technical Developer - Fresh Foods

Technical Developer - Fresh Foods Details Closing Date 2026/08/23 Reference Number SHO260813-2 Job Title Technical Developer - Fresh Foods Job Type Full Time Location - Country South Africa Location - Province Western Cape Location - Town or City Brackenfell, Cape Town Job Category Food Service About the role Enable the successful development, launch, and ongoing performance of Fresh Foods products by embedding strong food safety, quality, and technical principles across the end-to-end product lifecycle. The role partners with Product Development, Commercial, Operations, and suppliers to assess product feasibility, recipes, ingredients, processing methods, packaging, shelf life, and specifications, ensuring products are safe, compliant, scalable, commercially viable, and aligned to customer expectations while identifying technical risks early and recommending practical solutions to support successful scale-up and launch. What you'll do Food Safety, Quality & Compliance Ensure Fresh Foods products comply with applicable food safety legislation, labelling requirements, internal quality standards, and agreed product specifications. Conduct and maintain technical, QA, and food safety assessments during development, testing, approval, and pre-launch stages. Provide guidance on HACCP, GMP, hygiene, allergen management, traceability, and related controls to support consistent product safety and quality. Supplier & Manufacturer Engagement Engage suppliers and manufacturers during development, testing, sourcing, onboarding, and product approval activities. Review technical documentation, specifications, validation data, and supplier capability to confirm alignment with product, category, and regulatory requirements. Support supplier-related problem solving by resolving quality, technical, or production challenges that may affect product launch or ongoing performance. Quality Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement Investigate product quality, safety, or technical issues and recommend corrective actions that reduce risk and support sustainable resolution. Use QA and technical insights to inform prioritisation, decision-making, risk management, and continuous improvement across Fresh Foods products and processes. What you bring Qualifications and experience Bachelor's degree in Consumer/Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field will be beneficial. Good understanding of food safety regulations, quality standards, and industry best practices. 2-4 years’ relevant experience in food technology, quality assurance, product development, or a Fresh Foods manufacturing environment, with exposure to product testing, specifications, food safety, and supplier or factory engagement. Quality control or assurance within the food industry, preferably in fresh foods or perishable products. Factory experience is non-negotiable. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications. partners with Product Development, Commercial, Operations, and suppliers to assess product feasibility, recipes, ingredients, processing methods, packaging, shelf life, and specifications, ensuring products are safe, compliant, scalable, commercially viable, and aligned to customer expectations while identifying technical risks early and recommending practical solutions to support successful scale-up and launch. Policy Our Group is committed to creating, embracing, and preserving a diverse workplace that values the unique talents, perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities that enrich our organisation. A place where everyone matters and feels included. We are committed to Employment Equity when recruiting internally and externally. Please take note that by responding to this application and providing your personal information, you confirm your express and informed consent for Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd and all its subsidiaries and affiliates companies to process your personal information for the Company to consider your application for this position. All Personal Information which you provide to the Company will be used and/or retained only for the purposes for which it is collected, whereafter it will be permanently destroyed. Your information is only retained if it is required by law or where you have given consent to us to retain such information for an extended period. If you don’t hear from us within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful. Any personal information collected as part of your application will be destroyed, securely, in accordance with South African legislation.