Manager – Central Creams R&D (Sharjah, AE) Full Time

Provide purpose, direction and manage Frozen New Projects portfolio for NPD/EPD/VE defined by Culinary stakeholders in order to ensure proper launch according with funnel pipeline. Define long term and short- term goals to identify growth opportunities, formulating action plan across the R&D community.

• Understand, reflect & practice IFFCO’s vision & values.            
• Create and manage Frozen new Projects portfolio of NPD/EPD/VE defined by Culinary stakeholders in order to ensure proper launch of projects according with funnel pipeline.
• Assume Product Development Lead responsibilities in key NPD/VE projects from the Global Cream Funnel and with specific focus on frozen creams development around globe.
• Develop Specification sheet, SOP, flow diagram, nutritional facts for develop of frozen products.
• Approved products to be reformulated keep in mind the cost/nutrition/ legal requirements.
• Continuously benchmark competing products for functionality and cost.
• For all projects act as a ‘Frozen creams expert for select group of ingredients’: contribute to core product designs, perform regular portfolio analysis, and approach business stakeholders with recommendations.
• Carry out Analysis required for raw materials and developed products.
• Ensure Activity Plans Along with Timelines, resources, equipment’s and space needed to execute the innovation function deliverables.
• Keep Abreast of global trends in the category including Food ingredients, new technologies, equipment’s, and competitor launches and cost of formulations.
• Maintain leading edge knowledge within the CoE Creams team on creams and dairy products (i.e whipping cream, cooking cream, soft serve, milk, and other dairy products), frozen process technology and o/w emulsions.
• Conduct Factory scale up of Global projects and monitor first production runs along with Factory team and Country R&D.”
• For all projects act as a ‘Frozen creams expert for select group of ingredients’: contribute to core product designs, perform regular portfolio analysis, and approach business stakeholders with recommendations.
• Market the R&D applications and sensory facility as the ‘go to’ customer support resource.
• Meet regulatory and customer specific requirements while developing products specific for country and while localizing global formulas. •Participate in Food exhibitions and trade shows to promote IFFCO products.
• Ensure smooth and detailed hand over of Global NPD/VE formula/process to Country R&D.
• Work closely with the team to achieve short-term and long-term product development goals on time and ensure that the customer needs are met on a priority basis
• Oversee development of appropriate systems and policies to enable capability development of employees •Allocate work to subordinates, nominate for training as per guidelines, conduct performance reviews and manage leave and overtime to ensure efficiency.
• Assume line management responsibilities for JM-AM and non-management team members, supervise and coach direct reports in their day-to-day tasks and guide them in managing their performance by providing appropriate feedback and counselling. Provide recommendations to the R&D HD on hiring and promotions.”

Work Experience

• At least 12 years of relevant experience in cream R&D department of a Foods company with 5+ years of experience in leading Frozen dairy/creams development for an organization in Foods business
• Languages: Fluency in English 

Functional Competencies

• Frozen Creams Dairy/N Dairy product/process development
• Project Leadership     Product Analysis & Applications
• Product Microstructure
• Food Regulation, Technology & Trends
• Chefmanship

Leadership Competences

• Ethics and values-Acting like and owner for assigned brand responsibilities
• Presentation, communications, influencing and motivational skills     Able to work across categories, cultures
• Project management skills
• Builds constructive/effective peer relationships
• Personal learning agility.

Key Stakeholders: 

• BU R&D and Quality teams
• Sales and Marketing teams
• Project managers 

• Must have a Bachelor/ Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Technology or related field.
• BSC Agriculture degree specializing in food science and Technology is desirable.
• Flexibility and sensitivity to work with many cultures and across time zones.