Food Technologist ( Sauces Formulation )

Taj HR is seeking an innovative and experienced R&D – Liquid Sauces Formulation Specialist to join our Research & Development team. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the formulation, development, optimization, and scale-up of commercial liquid sauces, including ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, garlic sauce, salad dressings, and similar products. The role requires strong hands-on experience in sauce formulation, ingredient functionality, product trials, and industrial-scale production, with a focus on developing consistent, stable, cost-effective, and commercially viable products. Responsibilities - Develop and optimize formulations for a variety of commercial liquid sauces, including ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, garlic sauce, salad dressings, and similar products. - Create new formulations and improve existing products based on product specifications, market requirements, and consumer preferences. - Conduct laboratory trials, pilot batches, and industrial production trials. - Scale up formulations from laboratory and pilot scale to commercial production while maintaining product consistency and quality. - Optimize taste, texture, viscosity, color, appearance, stability, and shelf life. - Select and evaluate appropriate raw materials and functional ingredients, including oils, tomato products, vinegar, starches, gums, emulsifiers, stabilizers, preservatives, flavors, spices, and other ingredients. - Troubleshoot formulation and production issues and implement effective technical solutions. - Conduct sensory evaluations and product testing to ensure products meet defined quality and sensory specifications. - Conduct and support shelf-life and stability studies and make formulation adjustments when required. - Work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and other R&D teams throughout the product development and commercialization process. - Prepare and maintain formulation sheets, product specifications, trial reports, and other technical documentation. - Identify opportunities for cost optimization, ingredient alternatives, and formulation improvements without compromising product quality. - Research new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods relevant to commercial sauce production. - Ensure formulations comply with applicable food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. Requirements - Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, or a related field. - 3+ years of hands-on experience in Food R&D, formulation, or product development, with significant experience specifically in liquid sauces. - Proven experience developing and producing commercial products such as ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, garlic sauce, salad dressings, marinades, or similar sauces. - Strong practical knowledge of sauce formulation, emulsification, viscosity control, stabilization, preservation, and shelf-life development. - Strong knowledge of food raw materials and functional ingredients used in sauce manufacturing. - Hands-on experience with R&D trials, pilot production, scale-up, and industrial manufacturing. - Strong understanding of food safety, HACCP, quality assurance, and food manufacturing standards. - Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to develop new, commercially viable, and scalable sauce formulations. - Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate technical documentation. - Excellent communication and teamwork skills. - Proficiency in English; Arabic is an advantage.