Join National Brands Limited (NBL) at our Durban Tea Factory, where we proudly produce South Africa’s most beloved tea brands, including Five Roses, Freshpak and Trinco. Join a dynamic, hands-on team dedicated to upholding the high standards of these iconic products, enjoyed by millions every day. You’ll gain invaluable experience in a collaborative environment, with exposure to all levels of the organisation. Whether you’re working on the factory floor or supporting production, your contributions directly influence the quality and innovation of our products. Ready to make a difference? Apply now and become part of a company that values teamwork, excellence, and innovation.

An exciting opportunity exists for a Junior Product Technologist to apply expertise in the intrinsic art of sensory evaluation of tea in its variety, to assist with evaluation, procurement and approval of raw material components, blends and finished goods. To use in depth analytical ability to evaluate and report on tea purchases, stocks holding, cost savings, as well as plan logistical movements of tea throughout the supply chain.

Line Manager: Tea Master

Key Performance Areas:

Project Management

• Assist with initiating projects as requested by Marketing/ Factory
• Ensure relevant steps are followed and deliver projects as per the brief on time and at expected costs target
• Maintain all records
• Coordinate and streamline communication among relevant stakeholders

Product Development

• Deliver on cost savings initiatives as well as product improvements
• Keep abreast with new trends on other markets
• Identify opportunities to re-engineer current blends
• Liaise with suppliers

Conduct factory trials:

• Assist in carrying out factory trials related to raw materials
• Ensure availability of materials
• Assist in completing trial reports

SAP related functions:

• Assist with inputting of blends on SAP
• Run relevant reports for Tea Department
• Assist with maintaining master data
• Initiate workflows in SAP
• Check accuracy of supplier invoices against SAP
• Assist with prepping and testing sample/ blends/ product
• Support the team with all SAP related functions

Competencies:

• Technical

Food technology knowledge to analyze technical data/ (Certificate of Acceptance) COA’s received from suppliers, and ensure raw materials purchased conform to all legal and company requirements

• Sensory

Conduct sensory trials and write up reports.

Sensory analysis - visual, smell and taste. (Successful candidate will be trained in tea tasting)

• Project management

The ability to logically think through and follow project management principles for projects from concept to completion

Interfacing with internal stakeholders and suppliers

Minimum Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Food Technology and/or relevant food qualifications
• Qualification in Project Management (advantageous)

Experience

• Minimum of 1 years’ experience in working in the food/beverage industry
• An understanding of the impact of regulatory/statutory and professional bodies on the new and existing products would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of sensory evaluation

Additional requirements:

• Communication (verbal and writing) skills
• Ability to solve problems and methodical (logical thinking)
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in cross functional teams
• Above average computer skills (Excel/ Word/ PowerPoint)
• Proactive, analytical and leaderships skills
• The incumbent must be able to travel independently within SA and outside SA boarders
• Willingness to work outside normal working hours