Job Description
Our Client:
is a leading FMCG organization with a strong regional presence across the GCC.
Your Role:
As R&D Manager, you will lead product innovation, formulation development, and continuous improvement initiatives across key dry food categories.
You will:
- Supervise day-to-day R&D operations, ensuring compliance with established processes and policies.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives including 5S and Lean Manufacturing programs.
- Drive New Product Development (NPD) from concept to launch.
- Lead Existing Product Development (EPD) in collaboration with Marketing and Purchasing to optimize quality, cost, and performance.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation including raw material, semi-finished, packaging, and finished product specifications, as well as recipes.
- Support food safety and hygiene compliance in line with applicable regional regulations.
- Monitor newly launched products for at least six months post-launch to ensure stability and market performance.
- Conduct competitor product benchmarking and market analysis.
- Track R&D KPIs and recommend corrective and improvement actions.
- Liaise with regulatory authorities, suppliers, and customers when required.
- Ensure compliance with import, export, and local regulatory requirements for existing and new products.
- Uphold SHEQ and internal safety policies across all R&D and related activities.
This role combines technical depth, structured process management, and cross-functional collaboration within a performance-driven FMCG manufacturing environment.
Must Have
- 7–10+ years of experience in R&D within Food FMCG manufacturing.
- Direct experience in spices, nuts, dried fruits, dates, and pulses (mandatory).
- Strong hands-on exposure to NPD and EPD cycles.
- Experience implementing Continuous Improvement programs (5S, Lean, process optimization).
- Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and regional compliance standards.
- Proven experience in product specification development and technical documentation control.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with Marketing, Purchasing, Quality, and Operations.
- Structured, analytical, and detail-oriented mindset.
Next Steps: Upload your resume via our ATS platform and ensure all form details are complete. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 5-7 working days for a more detailed discussion about the role. Please note, due to high application volumes, we will only respond to shortlisted profiles.