Senior Technical Service Technologist – East Africa

About the role

Lead Ingredion’s Nairobi Idea Lab, partner with food manufacturers across East Africa and expand technical and innovation capabilities. You will be the primary technical contact for key customers, driving ingredient application, formulation and food process expertise.

Key responsibilities

• Act as lead technical contact for assigned customers, providing innovation, troubleshooting and cost‑optimization support.
• Develop and manage the Nairobi Idea Lab, ensuring product quality, food safety, hygiene and regulatory compliance.
• Lead, coach and develop a small local Technical Service team, aligning resources with business objectives.
• Plan and execute complex application trials, focusing on dairy and savory formulations while supporting other categories.
• Evaluate customer formulations, ingredients and processes to diagnose challenges and recommend science‑based solutions.
• Collaborate with commercial teams, distributors and equipment partners to identify growth opportunities across East Africa.
• Document technical activities, communicate results and contribute to continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Degree in Food Technology, Food Engineering, Food Science or related discipline.
• Several years of senior‑level experience in technical service, product development or food applications within the food industry or specialty ingredients sector.
• Strong knowledge of dairy or savory applications, ingredient functionality and food processing equipment.
• Proven track record of delivering innovation projects and providing technical support to food‑industry customers.
• Experience leading people or laboratory activities and willingness to travel regularly across East Africa.

Required skills

• Dairy and savory formulation expertise
• Ingredient functionality assessment
• Food processing and equipment knowledge
• Laboratory trial design and execution

What we offer

• Competitive salary and performance‑based pay
• Comprehensive health, savings and wellness benefits
• Learning, training and career development opportunities
• Employee recognition and referral programs