Manager, R&D Snacks

Manager, R&D Snacks Location: Wisma Capital A Job Description WHAT YOU’LL CHAMPION: Product Development & Innovation Lead the development of new snack products from concept creation through formulation, testing, commercialization, and post-launch evaluation. Develop innovative snack offerings including ready-to-eat, packaged, ambient, frozen, and local-inspired snack categories. Conduct product benchmarking, sensory evaluations, and reformulation initiatives to improve product quality and consumer appeal. Identify opportunities for innovation based on market trends, customer insights, and competitive analysis. Commercialization & Operational Excellence Collaborate closely with Operations, QA, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to ensure products are scalable and operationally feasible. Ensure products meet food safety, quality, shelf-life, and regulatory standards. Develop product specifications, SOPs, preparation guidelines, and technical documentation. Support smooth execution of product launches across different business channels. Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners on ingredient sourcing, product trials, and innovation opportunities. Manage technical discussions and evaluation of ingredients, packaging, and manufacturing capabilities. Partner with Marketing and Commercial teams to support promotional campaigns, seasonal launches, and portfolio expansion. Market & Consumer Insights Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and evolving consumer preferences within the snack category. Identify opportunities in healthier snacks, local flavors, convenience snacking, and emerging food trends. Utilize customer feedback and sales performance data to drive product enhancements. Project & Financial Management Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously while ensuring timely delivery. Support costing exercises and product margin optimization initiatives. Track project timelines, milestones, and commercialization readiness. WHO YOU ARE: Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, or related field. Minimum 5–7 years of experience in food/snack R&D, product development, or innovation within FMCG, retail, or food manufacturing industries. Experience in packaged snacks, frozen foods, bakery, convenience foods, or local snack categories is an added advantage. Proven experience managing end-to-end product development and commercialization. Strong knowledge of food formulation, ingredients, shelf-life, and food safety standards. Strong project management and stakeholder management skills. Commercially aware with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to balance innovation, cost efficiency, and operational practicality. Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. Agile, hands-on, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.