R & D Director

Job Description : R & D DIRECTOR GCC As the Director Research and Development, you will be responsible for spearheading the company’s innovation strategy and new product pipeline that deliver competitiveness and growth. This role requires a seasoned professional with substantial experience across multiple geographies in the food industry. You will oversee the full lifecycle of product innovation, manage R&D timelines, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, ensuring excellence in execution and continuous improvement in product offerings. Key Responsibilities: Innovation Strategy Development: Lead the development and execution of innovation strategies that align with the company’s overall business objectives. Identify opportunities for growth and product diversification by closely monitoring market trends, consumer insights, and emerging technologies. New Product & Service Development: Oversee the entire new product development (NPD) process, from ideation through to market launch, ensuring alignment with customer needs and business goals. Lead the renovation of existing product lines and ensure that the product portfolio remains relevant and competitive. Process Improvement: Continuously seek out opportunities to improve internal processes, driving efficiency and enhancing product quality. Establish improved ways of working across global cross-functional teams to streamline innovation activities and maintain a high standard of execution. Cross-functional Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborate with key stakeholders in Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to ensure alignment and timely delivery of innovation projects. Work across multiple product categories, supporting the company’s expansion into new and existing markets. R&D Accountability & Stage-Gate Process: Lead the R&D function, ensuring accountability for project timelines and adherence to the stage-gate process. Triage and resolve issues arising from Operations, Quality, or Regulatory teams to maintain target deadlines, approving necessary extensions when required. Market Research & Trend Analysis: Conduct in-depth market research to identify key trends, opportunities, and consumer preferences that can shape the company’s innovation pipeline. Leverage insights to develop proactive, future-focused product proposals that drive long-term business growth. Team Leadership & Development: Build, coach, and develop a high-performing innovation team, ensuring functional and leadership capabilities are continuously enhanced. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and collaboration within the team. Budget & Performance Management: Plan and manage the budget for innovation-related activities, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess innovation project success and make data-driven decisions. Risk Management: Identify potential risks in the innovation process and implement strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring smooth project execution. Key Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Engineering, Food Science, or a related field is required. Experience: Proven experience in leading innovation or R&D functions within the food industry, with a track record of launching impactful products and driving business growth. Skills: Deep understanding of the food production process, product innovation, and the stage-gate process. Strong leadership and team development skills, with the ability to manage and mentor teams across multiple geographies. Excellent project management abilities, from concept to commercialization. Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills. Financial acumen with experience in managing budgets for R&D or innovation initiatives.

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