Formulation & Application Technologist (SEA)

Job description

Key Responsibility/ Accountability: Product Development and Customization: Design and develop tailored ingredient blends (e.g., hydrocolloids, modified starches, enzymes, proteins, emulsifiers, etc.) to meet specific customer needs in food applications like dairy, beverages, savoury, etc. Ensure product solutions align with regulatory requirements in the region. Responsible to conduct in-depth application study in various food categories in order to verify the performance of the blended solutions developed. Technical Support and Problem Solving: Provide technical expertise to internal teams and customers on formulation challenges and application troubleshooting. Work with Innovation & Development Team members across APAC Region to develop suitable prototypes to showcase the functionality of ingredient blends for client presentations. Conduct root cause analysis for customer production issues and recommend practical solutions. Customer Collaboration and Engagement: Work closely with customers and internal sales and business development team to understand their specific needs and tailor solutions accordingly. Conduct technical training sessions, workshops, and product demonstrations for clients as per requirement in collaboration with local Innovation & Development team. Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers especially customers in SEA. Regulatory and Compliance Management: Closely work with local regulatory, Innovation & Development and compliance team to ensure ingredient blends comply with local regulations in key markets (e.g., labelling, permitted additives, and standards). Liaise with regulatory teams to update product specifications and certifications. Cross Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Innovation & Development, Business Development, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Manufacturing and Operations teams to ensure seamless product development and commercialization. Provide technical input for customer proposals, market strategies, and product launches. Work closely with various suppliers in order to obtain the best solutions. Proactively work with Procurement team to identify risk and explore opportunities to improve the blends profitability Proactively work with Procurement team to identify new ingredient suppliers for blends. Qualifications and Experience: Educational Background: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Food Technology or Food Engineering. Experience: 10+ years of experience in food R&D, product development, or technical service, with a focus on ingredient solutions. Proven track record of developing and commercializing functional blends for food applications in the APAC/SEA region. Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of hydrocolloids, starches, emulsifiers, proteins, and fibers. Handson experience with food processing equipment and pilot plant operations. Familiarity with APAC food regulations and compliance requirements. Soft Skills: Excellent problem solving and project management skills. Strong communication and presentation skills for customer interactions and internal collaboration. Ability to work in a cross cultural, dynamic, and fast paced environment. Regional Expertise: Understanding of diverse APAC markets, including consumer preferences, product trends, and challenges. Preferred Attributes: Must have a customer centric mindset. Have experience in dairy or plant-based product formulations. Proficiency in sensory evaluation techniques and data analysis. Familiarity with advanced tools for sales and management (Sales Force) Demonstrated negotiation and influencing skills and ability to work well as part of cross functional / cultural teams. A strong work ethic, flexible in approach and supportive of others. Results orientated with a solutions-based approach. Brenntag TA Team