R&D Executive - Everyday Goods Food

Who We Are:

GMG is a global well-being company retailing, distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years, GMG is a valued partner of choice for the world's most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Klassic, and international brands like Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita's, and McCain.

Job Summary:

The R&D Executive will play a pivotal role in driving new product development and enhancing existing product lines. This position involves conducting research, analyzing market trends and competitor brands, performing application and cooking trials, and managing projects to ensure product quality and alignment with business objectives and consumer preferences. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in food science, research methodologies, and culinary arts, coupled with creative problem-solving abilities and the capacity to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Job Responsibilities:

Develop new products, improve existing ones and process simplification in coordination with all stakeholders, aligned with the departmental KPI’s.

Responsible to execute pilot / plant scale trials for new products and validate the consistent production runs

Liable to conduct the internal and cross functional sensory evaluation session of finished products

Maintain master list of formulations, sensory sheets, trial evaluation records and ingredient logs

Prepare/Modify the product usage instructions, functional claims, serving suggestions etc.

Perform the benchmark analysis and identify the key gaps in the product/process for improvement

Oversee packaging and label compliance related to brand updates, ingredients, recipe instructions, nutritional call outs, etc.

Explore the cost control opportunities through formulation optimization, alternate raw material source development/substitution, wastage reductions

Keep track of stability studies of the new products for shelf-life declaration on the label.

Provide support to Marketing and Sales on finalizing the business cases for new product launches

Prepare samples for customer presentations and participate in product cuts providing support to Management, Sales & Marketing.

Responsible for ongoing maintenance of recipes/formulations, methodologies and specifications.

Collaborates with Purchasing to evaluate quality ingredients and supplies for the new products

Perform research on the ingredient functionality and product characteristics during development phase.

Technical Competencies:

Strong verbal, written and electronic communication
Creative problem solving and innovation mindset
Project Management
Attention to detail
Result Oriented approach
Expertise in formulation design
Culinary Skills
Strong Sensory Skills