Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President of Research & Development will lead the innovation strategy and product development for tea and coffee beverages. This role is responsible for driving co-development projects with strategic partners, overseeing the full R&D lifecycle—from concept creation to commercialization—and ensuring products meet market trends, consumer needs, and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Define and implement R&D strategy to support the company's beverage innovation roadmap.

Lead and inspire cross-functional R&D teams, promoting a culture of creativity and technical excellence.

Collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales, and Business Development to align innovation pipeline with brand and business objectives.

Product Innovation & Development

Drive new product development (NPD) and reformulation projects in the tea and coffee category (RTD, instant, and specialty formats).

Co-develop beverage concepts with strategic partners or OEMs, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and consumer insights.

Oversee prototype creation, sensory testing, and formulation optimization to deliver high-quality, scalable products.

Monitor global beverage trends, ingredients, and technologies to identify new opportunities.

Technical & Regulatory Oversight

Ensure compliance with Thai FDA and relevant international standards.

Manage R&D documentation, formulation records, and technical specifications.

Evaluate and approve raw materials, suppliers, and production processes for quality and cost efficiency.

Team & Project Management

Lead project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively across multiple R&D projects.

Build technical capabilities and knowledge-sharing frameworks within the R&D team.

Partner with external research institutes, suppliers, and co-manufacturers to enhance innovation capabilities.

Qualifications

Master's or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Technology or related field.

Minimum

10–15 years of experience

in beverage R&D, with at least

5 years in leadership roles

Proven track record in developing tea, coffee, or ready-to-drink beverages.

Strong knowledge of sensory evaluation, ingredient functionality, and process technology.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Strategic mindset with a balance of technical depth and business understanding.

Fluent in English and Thai