Application Specialist - Bakery

About the Company

Puratos develops innovative food solutions that support people’s health and well-being. The company helps customers grow by transforming expertise and technologies from food traditions around the world into practical business opportunities.

Role Overview

The bakery application specialist will focus on creating, testing, and adapting products so they are ready for commercial use. The role is centered on delivering customized solutions for industrial customers in the bakery, patisserie, and chocolate segments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to industrial bakery and patisserie customers.
• Understand customer challenges and support the rollout of products and concepts that address them.
• Develop lasting partnerships with assigned clients.
• Support the R&D Director in research activities and new product development initiatives.
• Work directly with customers to identify needs and build tailored solutions together.
• Lead implementation projects for both existing and newly developed products at customer production sites.
• Adapt Puratos group NPD direction to the Kenyan market and help launch new products through test baking, sample preparation, and training sessions.
• Spot and evaluate new business opportunities as well as risks affecting current portfolios, contributing to sales target achievement.
• Collaborate across technical, marketing, and sales functions locally, and work with the wider international Puratos network using collaborative tools and data analysis.
• Keep up to date with baking and ingredient trends, and maintain strong knowledge of the full Puratos product range.
• Grow and sustain strong relationships with customers and build a network of ingredient and equipment specialists inside and outside the company.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in food science or a closely related discipline.
• At least 5 years of practical experience in the industrial bakery environment.
• Strong interest in food and a genuine commitment to doing what is best for the planet and future generations.
• Deep understanding of patisserie automation, analytical methods, new product development processes, and how ingredients are used to improve healthy and appealing products.
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality, additives, and the basics of food chemistry.
• Comfort using computer tools such as CRM systems, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Solid understanding of processes, equipment, and finished goods.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong commercial awareness and business development orientation.
• Ability to turn creative ideas into attractive finished products within an industrial production setting.
• Strong analytical thinking and a practical approach to solving problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and inspire customers.
• Team-oriented attitude with respect for others, openness, humility, and willingness to help.
• Good planning, organization, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

What the Company Offers

Puratos describes itself as a family-oriented organization with a long record of growth and a clear vision for the future. The company emphasizes a caring, trustworthy, and respectful workplace that puts people first. It also promotes an inclusive global culture that values diversity and equal opportunity, aiming to better reflect customers, communities, and society while strengthening innovation and delivery.

Additional Information

Location: Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya. Employment type: full-time, onsite.