Our client is looking for Head of R&D to lead the company's fresh food innovation strategy by identifying consumer trends, developing commercially viable products, and building strategic partnerships with brands, chefs, suppliers, and food innovators. This person will oversee the full innovation cycle from concept to commercialization, ensuring products meet customer expectations, operational requirements, quality standards, and profitability targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the fresh food innovation strategy and product pipeline.
- Identify consumer trends and translate insights into new product concepts.
- Lead end-to-end product development, from ideation and formulation to testing, launch, and post-launch evaluation.
- Build and manage partnerships with brands, chefs, suppliers, and external food innovators.
- Work closely with Operations, Procurement, Marketing, and R&D to ensure product feasibility, quality, and profitability.
- Monitor product performance and continuously improve the innovation portfolio.
- Drive a strong culture of creativity, innovation, and customer-centric product development.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, or related field.
- 10–15 years of hands-on experience in food product development and innovation, preferably in convenience retail, QSR, FMCG, food manufacturing, or food service.
- Proven track record of developing and launching commercially successful food products.
- Strong knowledge of consumer trends, food formulation, ingredient functionality, food safety, and commercialization.
- Experience in building strategic partnerships with brands, chefs, suppliers, and food innovators.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance innovation, customer appeal, operational feasibility, cost, and profitability.
