R&D Senior Manager - Asia

About Flora Food Group

We offer consumers a compelling choice in four growing categories: butters and spreads, creams, liquids and cheeses. We hold leadership positions in many of the 100 countries we operate in, with iconic brands including Flora, Becel+ProActiv, Blue Band, Country Crock, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Rama, and Violife, together with our local brands and Professional business.  

Global branded food champion Flora Food Group, offers the next generation of delicious, natural, nutritious food. Our products are more affordable and more sustainable than their dairy equivalents.  

• Job Title: R&D Snr Manager – Asia     

Location: Jakarta/Cikarang

• Reports into Head of R&D Emerging Markets    

Main Purpose Of The Function:

The main purpose of the function is the technical delivery of innovations/renovation in Asia Business Units i.e., (Indonesia, South East & Far East Asia and South Asia)  on time in full, ensuring full legal, regulatory and safety compliance. He/she provides local technical input/insights into innovation projects to R&D and key Business Unit partners. He/she also will support the Business Unit, in activation of new/rejuvenated product launches where close teamwork is required with culinary, Marketing and SC Teams. 

The incumbent as a R&D innovations program Leader will also be leading commercialization and landing innovation/renovation/projects in Asia. He/She can be appointed to lead projects across AMEA business units, where deemed appropriate. 

As part of the RD Emerging Markets team, incumbent shall also be involved in projects in AMEA either as a leading Manager or part of the team member. He/She will have responsibility on landing RD initiatives, program on ground. 

As a key RD Person Indonesia and Southeast Asia, incumbent will be a key person that interacts with the SC team on delivery of approved projects. 

Key Accountabilities / Main Accountabilities:

• Lead the implementation of new product developments in Asia on time and in full, with clear project networks and ensuring full legal, regulatory and safety compliances.  
• As TPL she/he is responsible for Project Leadership of projects -single point of accountability for technical delivery and responsible for communication with stakeholder(s) on all technical elements.  
• Technical input and insights into innovation projects to the R&D organization, Business Unit marketing, external relations, supply chain and technical compliance networks. 
• Development, training, and execution of R&D relevant product activations including training sales force with product knowledge. 
• Guidance on technical supportability of advertising claims in communication with trade and consumers based on excellent technical, legal and competitor understanding. 
• Deploy – support sales training and execution of projects in market. 
• He/she has overall responsibility for delivery of innovation/renovation and compliances in in Asia. 
• Drive compliances and delivery of projects in UPMS and gate documents including compliance checks and local requirements.  
• Work closely with Supply Management and Supply Chain on local supply chain support activities e.g. value improvement, third party manufacturing support, alternative sourcing. 
• As an Senior RD Manager, incumbent will also be leading and landing RD driven agenda on ground. 
• People leadership – Flora Food Group values of Performance, passion, and Care   
• Complexity /culture savviness and ability to connect with Global teams in Netherlands and across the region.  

Key Interfaces

• General Manager Business Unites 
• Head of R&D Emerging Markets 
• Head of Marketing in Business units   
• Regulatory and Nutrition Manager 
• General Manager Indonesia & Southeast Asia  
• Global R&D Design and Nutrition & Regulatory Affairs. 
• SC Regional team 

Relevant Experience

• Minimum university degree in food science or relevant science. 
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in regulatory, foods product development, project leadership, preferably in the context of complex, Regional and Global projects. 
• Knowledge in plant-based food (Oils & Fats, Spreads, Margarine, cheese, creams & dressings) technology. 
• A team player with a can-do mentality. 
• Self-starter, but can also work in a global framework. 
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt within a fast-changing environment. 
• Strong communicator 
• Fluent in English, spoken and written. 

Quality Statement

All associates have the responsibility to report problem(s) with regards to food safety and quality to the E2E Quality lead or a member of the quality department. The quality team shall document the issue(s) reported and ensure good product quality and food safety standards in the factory are implemented consistently and sustained. 

We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles.  

Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.  

No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.