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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.