Application Specialist - Bakery

About the Company

Puratos develops innovative food solutions that support people’s health and wellbeing. The company turns food technology and expertise from around the world into practical opportunities that help customers grow their businesses.

Role Overview

We are hiring an Application Specialist for the Bakery segment in Nairobi, Kenya. This role is centered on product development and testing, validating that new ideas can work in commercial settings, and designing solutions that match customer needs, especially for industrial-scale bakery, patisserie, and chocolate operations.

What You Will Do

• Provide advanced technical support to industrial bakeries and patisseries.
• Identify customer needs and support the rollout of products and concepts.
• Build durable, long-term relationships with assigned customers.
• Assist the R&D Director with research activities and new product development.
• Work closely with customers to understand their requirements and co-create tailored solutions.
• Lead implementation projects for both existing and newly launched products at customer production sites.
• Adapt Puratos global NPD guidelines for the Kenya market and help introduce new products through test baking, samples, and training sessions.
• Spot new business opportunities and potential risks within existing portfolios to help the business development team meet sales goals.
• Collaborate across technical, marketing, and sales teams locally, and with Puratos’s wider international network, using collaborative tools and data analysis.
• Keep up to date with baking and ingredient trends and maintain deep knowledge of Puratos products.
• Develop and sustain strong relationships with customers, as well as with ingredient and equipment specialists inside and outside Puratos.

What We’re Looking For

• A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of practical experience in the industrial bakery sector.
• Genuine interest in food and a commitment to making responsible choices for the planet and future generations.
• Strong understanding of patisserie automation, analytical methods, NPD processes, and how ingredients are used to build healthier, more appealing products.
• Knowledge of ingredient functionality, additives, and basic food chemistry.
• Ability to work with professional tools such as CRM systems, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Solid knowledge of production processes, equipment, and finished goods.
• A customer-focused mindset with a strong interest in business development.
• Ability to turn creative ideas into finished products suited to industrial manufacturing.
• Strong analytical thinking and a problem-solving approach.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to inspire customers.
• A collaborative team attitude that is respectful, helpful, open-minded, dynamic, and humble.
• Strong planning, organization, and attention to detail.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel.

What You Can Expect

Puratos describes itself as a family-oriented company with a long track record of growth and a clear long-term outlook. The workplace is designed to be caring, trusting, and respectful, with people at the center. The company also promotes an inclusive global environment and values diversity and equal opportunity.

Additional Information

This role is based in Nairobi, Kenya and is full-time, onsite. The position is focused on industrial-level bakery applications and customer-facing technical support.