Executive recruitment company Monroe Consulting Group is recruiting for a Head of R&D on behalf of our Consumer Goods client.
Job Responsibilities:
- Product Development Mastery: Lead the development of innovative food emulsifiers through extensive market research, formulation, testing, and regulatory compliance.
- Applications Expertise: Optimize emulsifier usage in various food applications, ensuring improvements in texture, stability, and shelf life.
- Technical Solutions Leadership: Provide technical expertise in ingredient selection, emulsification processes, dosage optimization, and quality control.
- Synthesis Oversight: Vigilantly oversee emulsifier synthesis, collaborating with suppliers and laboratories as needed.
- Process Management: Supervise manufacturing processes, ensuring rigorous quality control for consistent high standards.
- Regulatory Compliance Vigilance: Ensure emulsifiers adhere to regulatory guidelines and safety standards.
- Collaboration: Work closely with the marketing team and enterprise customers to offer technical solutions and support product development.
Challenges:
- Technical Complexity: Navigate complex challenges in chemistry, food science, and engineering for emulsifier development.
- Navigating Regulatory Complexities: Ensure compliance with diverse regulatory standards across regions and markets.
- Rigorous Quality Control: Uphold consistent quality to meet customer expectations and uphold product safety.
- Meeting Diverse Customer Needs: Satisfy unique requirements and preferences across various food industries.
- Continuous Innovation: Stay competitive by continuously innovating in emulsifier development.
- Market Dynamism: Adapt emulsifier products to evolving consumer preferences and market trends.
- Customer Relationship Building: Cultivate and preserve robust customer relationships, addressing technical challenges efficiently.
Principle Accountabilities (100% Customer Focus for Local and Overseas Markets):
- Value-Added Solutions: Offer unique, value-added food emulsifier products tailored to Bakery, Confectionery, Chocolates, and Specialty Oils & Fats.
- Market Opportunity Identification: Identify and monitor market opportunities, collaborating with key account managers.
- Customer Relations: Foster continuous liaison with current and potential customers, providing technical advisory services.
- Enhanced Customer Value: Introduce new emulsifier product lines, develop tailored product plans, and share technical know-how.
- Technical Expertise Dissemination: Provide technical know-how and training on food emulsifiers.
- Competitive Analysis: Monitor and analyze competitiveness in the market within specialized industries.
- Team Leadership and Training: Lead the R&D team, providing training for customer technical services and product development.
- Continuous Improvement: Collaborate on initiatives to improve the company's standing as an innovative and reliable food emulsifier supplier.
- Project Excellence: Ensure project capabilities and product uniqueness through a systematic, customer-centric approach.
Facing Challenging Technical Meetings:
- Engage in technical meetings with enterprise and corporate customers: Propose and present innovative food emulsifier solutions.
- Lead R&D technical projects: Oversee tracking, documentation, and on-time launches.
- Keep management updated: On business processes, operating plans, financial models, and profitability.
Function:
- Technical Leadership: Lead the Technical and R&D team, devising a comprehensive R&D development plan for food emulsifiers.
- Collaborative Research: Facilitate collaborative studies on emulsifiers with other research establishments.
- Joint Ventures: Foster joint work on emulsifiers with enterprise companies and establishments for value-added solutions.
- Pilot Plant Utilization: Leverage the mini pilot plant for emulsifier research.
- Quality Assurance: Establish project and production capabilities based on research, pilot plant trials, and customer approval.
- Certifications: Lead the team in establishing quality systems and applying for certifications for emulsifier products.
Supplementary Function:
- Product Profiling: Lead the team in designing emulsifier product profiles, specifications, and product launch activities.
- OEM Activities: Oversee OEM activities related to emulsifiers.
- Timely Technical Support: Establish efficient and timely technical service to support Sales and Marketing.
Environment:
- Technical Solutions: Convince customers of the technical solutions and applications of emulsifier products.
- Technical Support: Lead post-consultation technical support, offering guidance on process and emulsifier product improvement.
Job Requirements:
- Proven experience: Expertise in food emulsifiers within Bakery, Confectionery, Chocolates, and Specialty Oils & Fats applications.
- Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and leadership abilities.
- Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in food science or food technology with 12-15 years of relevant experience.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong technical knowledge in product development and processes.
- Market-Oriented Mindset: Marketing-oriented mindset with flexibility and commitment to the job.
