Unigrà is an Italian agro-food group founded in 1972. Through its various brands, the company offers high-end raw materials, semi-processed and finished products across all channels, the main categories being Chocolate and Chocolate Compounds, UHT Vegetable Creams and Margarine.
The R&D Manager, reporting to Chief Operating Officer Malaysia, dotted to R&D Corporate Director, is responsible for leading the Research & Development function of the Malaysia plant, overseeing product development and industrialization activities across the following categories:
- Chocolate and compound
- Margarine and fats
- UHT plant-based beverages, creams, creamers and ice cream
The role leads a team of 12 people, including R&D Team and the Regulatory team.
The R&D Manager ensures effective prioritization and execution of an increasingly complex and high-volume project portfolio, safeguarding team capacity while delivering business objectives.
The position acts as the main technical and organizational reference for the plant, ensuring alignment with Global R&D strategy,harmonization of procedures with HQ, and implementation of structured governance, KPI monitoring and reporting systems.
The role requires strong technical credibility, senior leadership capabilities, and resilience in high-pressure and fast-growing environments
Key responsibilities
- Lead and manage the full R&D and Regulatory function of the Malaysia plant across chocolate, margarine and UHT products, ensuring alignment with business and strategic objectives
- Drive effective project prioritization and resource allocation in a high-growth, high-demand environment, balancing commercial expectations with technical feasibility and team capacity
- Oversee product development, renewal, and industrialization projects from conception to market launch, ensuring structured, rapid, and high-quality execution.
- Implement and continuously improve project governance, methodologies (e.g. stage-gate), KPI tracking and reporting systems to ensure transparency, performance and scalability
- Ensure full compliance with local and international food regulations across 100+ export markets, integrating regulatory requirements (including halal and kosher) into development processes
- Act as the key technical interface with cross-functional stakeholders (Sales, Marketing, Production, Supply Chain, Procurement) and ensure strong alignment with HQ and international plants
- Lead, coach and develop the R&D and Regulatory team, strengthening engagement, accountability, technical excellence and long-term capability
- Define objectives, monitor performance, support career development and ensure effective succession planning and talent retention
- Ensure sustainable team performance through workload balancing, manpower planning and budget management
- Drive standardization of processes, documentation and product development practices
- Contribute to cost optimization, raw material rationalization and value engineering initiatives
- Support the definition and execution of the long-term innovation roadmap and technology development
- Prepare and present structured performance updates and insights to the Global R&D Director
- Act as an active member of the plant leadership team, fostering a collaborative, resilient and performance-driven culture
Qualifications & Experience (Must have)
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry or related discipline
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in Food R&D within industrial manufacturing environments
- Proven experience in at least one of the following categories:
- UHT beverages or emulsified systems (preferred option)
- Margarine and fats
- Chocolate and compound
- Minimum 5 years of experience in team management
- Strong technical background with the ability to review formulations, processes and scale-up challenges
- Demonstrated experience managing high project volume and complex portfolios
- Experience working in multinational and multi-site environments
- Good knowledge of Regulations for international export markets
- Proven experience in project management methodologies
Nice to have
- SAP knowledge
- Experience in process optimization and industrial efficiency projects
- Experience in Southeast Asian markets
- Experience managing Halal and Kosher certified production environments
Language
- Knowledge Fluent in oral and written English
PC Knowledge
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office ( Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Strong leadership and people development capabilities
- High resilience and ability to perform under pressure
- Strategic thinking combined with operational execution
- Excellent prioritization and decision-making skills
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional influence
- Structured and data-driven approach
- Technical credibility and hands-on mindset
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- High level of accountability and ownership
Location
Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
