Manager Research and Development

The R&D Manager will lead local end-to-end Product Development activities across the company’s nutritional bars and powdered beverage portfolio. The successful candidate will be instrumental in the definition, prioritization, and execution of day-to-day activities enabling the effective execution of innovation and Brand Maintenance initiatives. The incumbent will work closely with a diverse technical team to influence, plan, and deliver the local R&D and Commercialization agenda.

• Partners with line manager in the effective planning and execution of product development activities (i.e., innovation, cost-reduction, business continuity, and efficiencies), driving cost savings and efficiencies across all bar and powdered beverage platforms.
• Successfully leads the R&D team through the entire product development cycle, ensuring flawless execution from benchtop to full-scale commercial production.
• Guarantees that all initiatives meet the product development brief, including technical requirements (sensory, functionality, shelf-life, and regulatory) and performance specifications such as cost and operational feasibility.
• Drives a data- and scientific-driver product development process, translating analytical and sensory results into effective and actionable technical solutions.
• Effectively leads the R&D team in addressing technical challenges related to ingredient / technology scouting, ingredient substitution, complex formulation process scale-up / optimization. Drives the technical validation process to ensure that all products meet rigorous quality standards and are ready for commercialization.
• Oversees the planning and execution of benchtop, pilot, and full-scale plant production (including internal and external partners).
• Establishes and executes best R&D practices including lab management, agile development, rapid prototyping, decision-making tools / procedures to flawlessly develop, scale, validate, and launch products.
• Effectively manages multiple concurrent projects by prioritizing tasks, allocating resources efficiently and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion. Demonstrates strong organizational skills and the ability to balance completing demands while maintaining a high standard of quality across all deliverables.
• Acts as a role model for effective teamwork, building relationships within the internal cross-functional teams and with external partners.
• Leads a highly technical and capable R&D team with focus on developing / mentoring team members and building a strong inclusive team culture.

If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Sam Kovacevic at

JO: 12.26KK

$140,000 + Bonus

Benefits Available