R&D Head

Job Description

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.

Requirements

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). Team Leadership : Ability to motivate, mentor, and effectively lead the technical R&D team. Technical Mastery : Expert knowledge in processing technologies, formulation stability, and quality challenges specific to high-volume sauce / paste manufacturing. Regulatory Expertise : Strong working knowledge of international and Malaysian food regulations, especially HACCP and Halal certification requirements. Commercial Drive : Capacity to balance technical innovation with commercial viability and cost targets.