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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.
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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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree, National Diploma, or equivalent in Food Science, Food Technology, Cereal Science, Bakery Science, or related discipline
- Minimum 5 years' industrial bakery experience
- Proven experience in commercial bakery manufacturing environments
- Demonstrated expertise in bakery process optimisation and troubleshooting
- Advanced understanding of bakery manufacturing, ingredient functionality, formulation science, and industrial baking processes
- Ability to interpret complex scientific, technical, operational, and regulatory information
- High-level expertise across multiple specialised bakery disciplines
- Up to 10 years' experience in bakery manufacturing, product development, or technical specialist roles
What We Do
Our portfolio of iconic household brands is the vehicle for our mission. As one of Africa's largest listed FMCG manufacturers, our core business is ensuring these everyday foods and beverages nourish lives from the biggest cities to the smallest villages. Our iconic brands are well-known in South Africa, and our products cater for every meal and occasion. Our portfolio also includes leading brands in the home and personal care segments, and we have a growing presence in Africa. Our purpose is to nourish and nurture more lives every day. The Tiger Brands product range remain consumer favourites year-after-year including brands like Koo, Fattis and Monis, Jungle Oats, All Gold, Purity, Oros, Ingrams, Doom and Tastic Rice. Read our Privacy Policy here for when you share your contact information with us: https://www.tigerbrands.com/contact-us
