R&D Head

R&D Head - Sauces, Pastes & Condiments

Location:
Selangor, Malaysia (Manufacturing Facility)

Department:
Research & Development

Reports To:
General Manager

Position Summary & Mandate

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic
R&D Head
to take full ownership of the product development and technical innovation pipeline. Our client is a leading food service company specializing in shelf-stable Western and Asian cooking pastes, sauces, condiments, and marinades.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for setting the technical direction for the R&D department, managing the entire product lifecycle from concept to commercialization, and leading a strategic, high-performing team of
4-5 professionals
. The R&D Head must have deep, practical experience in a similar business line and mastery of
retort processing technology
to ensure product quality, authenticity, and shelf stability.

Key Responsibilities
1. R&D Strategy & Leadership

• Technical Direction:
  Lead, coach, and manage the R&D team (4-5 members), providing clear technical guidance, managing project loads, and overseeing performance management.
• Innovation & Pipeline:
  Drive the strategic development and commercialization of
  new sauce and paste formulations
  aligned with market trends and specific customer (retailer) demands.
• Product Optimization:
  Champion initiatives to enhance
  existing product formulations
  to optimize quality, taste, sensory profiles, shelf life, and achieve superior cost efficiency (value engineering).

2. Formulation & Process Expertise (Retort Focus)

• Process Mastery:
  Provide expert knowledge and technical oversight for processing methods, specifically
  retort technology
  , ensuring all products meet required shelf-stability and quality standards.
• Full Project Lifecycle:
  Manage R&D projects from initial concept through to successful commercialization, including laboratory trials, pilot plant runs,
  scale-up processes
  , and validation of retort profiles.
• Collaboration & Handover:
  Ensure seamless coordination with
  Operations, QA/QC, and Sales
  . Oversee the preparation of comprehensive
  technical documentation
  , including product specifications and process guidelines for accurate production handover.

3. Quality, Compliance & Cost Control

• Food Safety & Compliance:
  Ensure all R&D activities, formulations, and processes strictly adhere to
  JAKIM Halal, HACCP, ISO
  , and other relevant food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Value Engineering:
  Oversee cost management within formulation development, actively proposing and implementing
  value-engineering initiatives
  without compromising product integrity or quality standards.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in
  Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry
  , or a related field.
• Minimum of
  5+ years
  of progressive experience in Food R&D, specifically focused on
  shelf-stable sauces, condiments, or cooking pastes
  (similar business line).
• Minimum 3 years
  in a managerial or Head of R&D capacity, leading a team.
• Essential:
  Proven, in-depth technical knowledge and working experience with
  retort sterilization processes
  .
• Leadership:
  Strong proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a technical team.
• Technical Depth:
  Expert knowledge of ingredients, processing technologies, formulation stability, and quality challenges related to high-volume sauce/paste manufacturing.
• Compliance:
  Strong working knowledge of international and Malaysian food regulations, especially
  HACCP and Halal certification
  requirements.
• Commercial Acumen:
  Ability to balance technical requirements with commercial viability and cost targets.

Benefits

• Performance Bonus:
  Receive an annual performance-based bonus.
• Allowances:
  Basic travel and meal allowance claims are provided.