Research Development Section Head

To plan, perform, and monitor all activities related to research & development, design, and testing, incorporating technology, and value adding, and cost reduction measures

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Supervision of Subordinates

• Lead the R&D team to organize, manage, control and improve the activities of the R&D function to ensure timely and accurate fulfilment of production and customers’ needs in compliance with the company’s operations and supply chain KPIs
• Ensure employees’ development, engagement and motivation
• Determine training plan according to job and business requirements and ensure best practice is always adopted.
• Manage the performance of the R&D team, through guiding and monitoring them in accomplishing their objectives. Address performance issues and skill gaps and work on improving them.

Budgets and Plans

• Participate in the design of strategic plans based on forecasts and the strategic direction of the company.
• Deliver support in short and long-term organizational planning and strategy pertaining to R&D with a focus on new product development (NPDs) as a member of the management team
• Lead budget preparation and adherence. With a focus on cost savings initiatives
• Conduct regular analysis on actual spend versus budget and generate periodic reports

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Carry out company objectives with strict adherence to Company policies as they pertain to R&D under his control.
• Effective communication of policies, procedures and instructions

Day- to-day operations

• Responsible for the whole research and development process starting from product concept, preparing prototype sample, laboratory testing, and final approval to invest in the developed product.
• Assess the requirements for new products based on the market needs in cooperation with Sales & Marketing departments and selected customers sample.
• Improve products range and keeping the product range up to date with the new trends in Food Processing technology and phase out obsolete products.
• Coordinate with concerned departments to update the product range with the developed products, e.g. Sales to promote the product, Operations for Formations and specifications, Purchasing Department for sourcing suppliers and procurement, etc.
• Perform complete review, verification, and validation for new products to ensure conformity to requirement and fitness for use.
• Assist in updating the company catalogues and brochures. Submit periodical reports to management showing the status of R&D progress
• Oversee all activities of laboratory testing, maintaining proper link and coordination between R&D, product design, testing and validation activities.
• Oversee all Food Processing activities.
• Issue periodical updates on new products trends to all concerned.
• Keep laboratory facilities to the up to date technology.
• Oversee the design planning activities, manage & coordinate the work among work groups.
• Oversee the design review, verification and validation for the new products, to ensure conformity to specifications and fitness for use.
• Oversee the evaluation of new components in accordance with design specification in coordination with Purchasing and Quality Assurance Departments.
• Establish product design reviews with the aim of simplifying the manufacturing operations, reducing manufacturing cost and possibility of product standardization

Qualifications & Experience:

Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical or Veterinary.

Minimum 10 years’ experience in Research & Development in Food or FMCG field.