Job Summary

R&D & Product Innovation Manager is responsible for driving food innovation by transforming market insights into commercially viable products. This role goes beyond reactive formulation; it requires a proactive approach to research trends, pitch innovative concepts to clients, and ensure seamless transition from laboratory prototypes to full-scale industrial production. This position acts as the technical bridge between Commercial, Production, and Regulatory functions to ensure product excellence and safety.

Key Responsibilities

Proactive Innovation & Market Pitching

Trend Analysis:

Research global and local food trends to identify market Opportunities & gaps and develop innovative product concepts proactively.

Customer Pitching:

Present new product ideas to customers, including sensory profiles, unique selling points (USPs), and Consumption Experiences (e.g., menu pairing, serving suggestions, and recipe applications).

Product Library:

Maintain an active library of "ready-to-pitch" formulations to provide rapid solutions for the Sales and Marketing teams.

Formulation, Feasibility & Costing

New Product Development (NPD):

Develop and refine formulations for

Ice Cream and other products

, ensuring they meet specific client requirements and sensory standards.

Financial Feasibility:

Work closely with Finance Team to analyze product feasibility and calculate Estimated Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) during the development phase to support the Sales team in accurate pricing and profitability analysis.

Sourcing & Ingredients:

Scout for new, high-quality, and cost-effective raw materials/additives to create differentiation and optimize production costs.

Process Scale-up & Stability

Line Trials:

Supervise pilot tests and Process Scale-up (first-lot production) to ensure that mass-produced products match laboratory-approved prototypes.

Troubleshooting:

Solve technical issues during the production process and establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new products.

Shelf-life & Stability:

Design and conduct rigorous Shelf-life Studies and Stability Tests for all new formulations to ensure quality and safety throughout the product's life cycle.

Regulatory Intelligence & RA Support

Regulatory Expertise:

Deeply analyze and interpret food laws (Thai FDA, Codex, and international regulations) to ensure products are "Compliant by Design" before submission.

RA Admin Mentorship:

Act as the technical lead and mentor for the RA Admin, providing the necessary scientific data (formulation breakdown, chemical properties) for FDA, Halal, and Export certification filings.

Claims & Labeling:

Verify Artwork, Nutrition Facts, and Allergen data. Provide technical guidance on health/nutrition claims to ensure they are legally sound yet commercially attractive.

Government Liaison:

Represent the technical interests of the company when contacting relevant government agencies or external laboratories.

Quality Systems & Internal Coordination

Audit Readiness:

Ensure R&D documentation is always audit-ready. Serve as a key committee member for ISO 9001, GHPs, HACCP, FSSC 22000, HALAL, or any other standards.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

Coordinate closely with the Plant Director and Sales Director to align technical capabilities with business goals.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.

Work Location:

Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate, Pathum Thani

Experience:

5–10 years in R&D within the food manufacturing industry (OEM/ODM experience is highly preferred).

Technical Skills:

Expert knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and preservation techniques.

Proficient in Product Costing (COGS) and financial feasibility analysis.

Strong understanding of International Food Regulations and export documentation.

Soft Skills:

Commercial Mindset:

Ability to think like a business owner—balancing quality with profitability.

Presentation & Influence:

Excellent communication skills for pitching to high-level clients.

Agility:

Capable of managing multiple projects with tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.