Job Summary

The Ideal candidate will lead all initiatives to develop, approve, implement all new products development and ensure that all new products are compliant to the company and legal standards. It is his/her responsibility to ensure all processes, control, systems and tools are in place to support the innovation and quality agenda.

Will be responsible to implement the stage gate process through working with Marketing, consumer insights, Operations, Finance, procurement, Sales and relevant agencies to develop and maintain products from concept to finished goods.

The job holder will have input into the definition of the manufacturing process for the products, as well as responsibility for the specification of the recipe / raw materials, quality attributes and the food safety of the products and is responsible for the further development of the current product portfolio.

Main Responsibilities

• Collaborate with marketing to build pipelines, screen concepts, create prototypes and manage the product development cycle via samples, recipes, sensory / consumer research and projects team meetings.
• To be knowledgeable on brand frameworks, major competitors, markets, consumer profiles, process, packaging, quality and technologies.
• Prepare Line trial requests and coordinate with stake holders and functions in order to execute well planned trials and industrial runs.
• Lead the commissioning and new lines startup process from R&D perspective and ensure all stake holders are aligned on the startup process.
• Feasibility study of new product and processes. To provide early warnings on rework, scrap, changeover, cleaning requirements etc.
• Work closely with Operations on risk mitigation plans for smooth trials and industrial runs.
• Facilitate Hand over process of new technologies.
• Support the quality, food safety and industrial safety on Quality and Safety Risk Assessment and HACCP related to the projects.
• Participate in FAT and other supplier evaluation processes.
• Accountable for all product recipe changes and the management of all new and current product portfolio recipes and process.
• Responsible for delivering COGS initiatives, waste reduction activities and Continuous improvement projects leading to the reduction of Manufacturing cost.
• Define the process specifications and controls and measures for the Dry products technologies.
• Responsible for recipe translation for products and ensuring the lines are running to company and legal requirements.
• Responsible to audit and highlight deviations of BOM/Actuals.
• Working with the Quality team to deliver quality improvements to the products currently manufactured and support the resolution for quality exceptions.

Qualifications and Experience

• 3 to 5 years of experience in R&D function in FMCG companies preferably in Jam, Halawa, Tahina and juices.
• BSc, in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering or Sciences
• Proven basic experience in delivering COGS projects, new product development, Continuous Improvement projects and Commissioning of new lines/ equipment/ factory startups.