Chief Officer - Research & Development - Food/FMCG

Our client of substantial size in the foods industry has identified new product innovation as key enabler for future growth both in the local markets of the GCC that they serve and the exports markets of Africa & Asia that are catered to. This brings about the need to have a senior professional join the R&D team who can develop the medium and long term strategy for innovation keeping the consumer base in mind.

Your Role :

While the position is highly strategic in nature the initial few months would be spent in bringing up to speed the current process and procedures to deliver to business aligned goals. Working closely with other heads of functions you would lead an exhaustive study on harmonizing and rationalizing the current portfolio, aim to take advantage of the low hanging opportunities, build a plan for the pipeline for future product innovations and aggressively look into the operational aspects of QA and operational needs that need to be upgraded to international standards. Quality Assurance, Regulatory affairs would come under your wing.

Exciting opportunity with a large canvas to paint on requires the ability to work with functional heads and senior leadership team to re define and deliver on growth plans. You should have a track record in driving a culture change and transformation in any of your previous assignments. The KRA's would involve :

- Develops functional strategies, budgets, policies & procedures to support the functional infrastructure

- Develop unique new products with a sustainable market advantage

- Ensure research and development activities will maintain an organization's competitive position and profitability

- In collaboration with the marketing teams across multiple companies and sectors, the job holder will define future innovation and continuous product improvement based on consumer insights and business needs

- Leverage suppliers to maximize R&D effectiveness

- Ensure thorough technical approach to problem solving through literature reviews, networking throughout company, current industry knowledge, and well-designed experimental approach

- Identify and execute opportunities to streamline development processes and drive efficiencies throughout R&D and manufacturing organizations

- Anticipate company customer's needs and respond to their requests by developing new innovative options using company core products/processes or consistent with company core technologies

- Responsible for Formula, Packaging and Support groups in the region

- Responsible for leading innovations, and adaptation of global innovations for the region

- Continuously improve the regional network of innovative suppliers and research partners

- Ensure information flow between regional Headquarters and other regions

- Lead, motivate and develop the direct reports and other personnel in the function

- Provide a clear vision of the function and communicate it effectively

Must Haves :

- Advanced degree in Sciences or Engineering

- 20+ years- experience in multinational FMCGs. Ideally a career mix of starting from production to R&D and leading the department currently would be preferred.

- Experience in a highly independent position including control of budget and pipeline

- Drives open innovation

- Very good communication skills