Manager, R&D Snacks

Job Description

WHAT YOU'LL CHAMPION:

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead the development of new snack products from concept creation through formulation, testing, commercialization, and post-launch evaluation.
• Develop innovative snack offerings including ready-to-eat, packaged, ambient, frozen, and local-inspired snack categories.
• Conduct product benchmarking, sensory evaluations, and reformulation initiatives to improve product quality and consumer appeal.
• Identify opportunities for innovation based on market trends, customer insights, and competitive analysis.

Commercialization & Operational Excellence

• Collaborate closely with Operations, QA, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to ensure products are scalable and operationally feasible.
• Ensure products meet food safety, quality, shelf-life, and regulatory standards.
• Develop product specifications, SOPs, preparation guidelines, and technical documentation.
• Support smooth execution of product launches across different business channels.

Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners on ingredient sourcing, product trials, and innovation opportunities.
• Manage technical discussions and evaluation of ingredients, packaging, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Partner with Marketing and Commercial teams to support promotional campaigns, seasonal launches, and portfolio expansion.

Market & Consumer Insights

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and evolving consumer preferences within the snack category.
• Identify opportunities in healthier snacks, local flavors, convenience snacking, and emerging food trends.
• Utilize customer feedback and sales performance data to drive product enhancements.

Project & Financial Management

• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously while ensuring timely delivery.
• Support costing exercises and product margin optimization initiatives.
• Track project timelines, milestones, and commercialization readiness.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, or related field.

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in food/snack R&D, product development, or innovation within FMCG, retail, or food manufacturing industries.
• Experience in packaged snacks, frozen foods, bakery, convenience foods, or local snack categories is an added advantage.
• Proven experience managing end-to-end product development and commercialization.

• Strong knowledge of food formulation, ingredients, shelf-life, and food safety standards.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially aware with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to balance innovation, cost efficiency, and operational practicality.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Agile, hands-on, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

We are all different - one talent to another - that is how we rely on our differences. At AirAsia, you will be treated fairly and given all chances to be your best.We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Search Firm Representatives - AirAsia does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place.