Head - Research & Development - Food Industry

Key Accountabilities:

A) R&D Management:

- Define the right R&D and CTS organization, adapted to the business needs; create agility by optimizing resources when needed. Assure a synergistic collaboration between the R&D and CTS teams resulting in a better output and a shorter time to market.

- Management of the R&D team: recruit talented people, assure good onboarding and continuous training, development, and succession.

- Manage the R&D department through vision and objectives in line with the strategy of the Group and the country.

B) Innovation, customer projects and Technical Support:

- Manage the innovation pipeline, in line with the Group strategy and guidelines (H&WB, sustainability, focus channels, key customers) and with current and future customer needs. Always assure compliance to local regulations.

- Boost, promote and enable the development and implementation of strategic and international innovation products and services;

- Be customer centric by driving customer projects: assure R&D and Application Specialists (= AS) to spend resp 30% and 50% of their time with customers, make use of the Go-no Go process;

- Organize internal product trainings for the business development and operation teams.

- Organize competence building projects (internally and/or with external partners) and translate this in new business development and innovation opportunities.

- Ensure confidentiality and respect Group rules on IP protection in all activities.

- Assure adoption of digital tools and automation processes

- Give guidance to the CTS Manager in developing an innovative and creative CTS team which is customer oriented.

C) Support improvement of Profitability and Support Operations:

- Provide support to operations (production, QC, QA) for the implementation of new ingredients and products on our lines, during the startup of new lines, for process improvement projects, for non-conformities and customer complaints, for approval of 2nd suppliers.

- Take a pro-active approach to reduce the cost of our products, in collaboration with purchase and operations; participate to portfolio optimization projects on raw materials and finished goods.

- Assure R&D support during external quality audits; assure a perfect and traceable documentation of all relevant R&D activities.

D) Internal and external stakeholder management:

- Be an active member of the management team and assure good implementation of the projects in the local organization.

- Contribute to a trustful collaboration, inspire the teams with new products, services, concepts and ideas, and assure a close collaboration that results in a smooth implementation and a shorter time to market.

- Create a strong internal network with stakeholders from HQ, the region and other countries, in the effort to share best practices, learn, improve and create new solutions to meet customer - s challenges.

- Create a strong external network with key customers, suppliers, local authorities, research institutes and sectorial associations, to accelerate the detection of future challenges and opportunities, and accelerate the development of according to solutions.

Competences, Knowledge & Personal Qualities:

- Strong R&D expertise, scientific curiosity, and digital savviness.

- Inspiring team leader, attracting and developing a diverse team of talents.

- Strong Customer orientation and commercial drive (driving projects into sales);

- Capable of translating a business strategy into an R&D strategy.

- Good networker within/out of the organization.

- Able to turn needs into unique, purpose-driven solutions for customers.

- Strong planning with structured approach and project management skills.

- Self-driven and dynamic with an international mind-set.

- Ambitious and determined to achieve results and be part of a winning team.

Professional Experience & Qualifications:

- Academic background: Master's degree in food science, an alumnus of CFTRI is a must.

- Minimum 5 years' experience in applied R&D from the international food industry.

- Having 3 years' experience in leading the R&D activity and team from the international food industry.

- R&D experience from the bakery, patisserie or chocolate industry is a must.

- Knowledge in food regulations.

- Languages: Fluent in English.