At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative dairy product development and manage a dynamic project portfolio.
- Company: Join a global leader in the dairy industry with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of dairy products.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and global exposure.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving innovation and leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant field and 5 years of leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Location: Open in Europe
Full-time
Job Purpose and Dimensions
Lead the Dairy Product Development team and own the dairy segment product and project portfolio. Partner with Sales to deliver innovative, market‑ready solutions; drive cost‑out through raw material optimization, value engineering, and simplification; and ensure business continuity by qualifying alternatives and adapting to regulatory and compliance requirements. Ensure efficient resource allocation and project execution aligned to business objectives, balancing short‑, medium‑ and long‑term priorities. Manage internal and external partners, with a strong focus on customer needs. Business partner to the Meat & Dairy BU, leading dairy product development across yoghurt, desserts, processed cheese, soft cheese, and dairy specialties. Part of the Global Protein Growth category.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the project portfolio, contributing to profitable growth through innovation and sustainability, simplification, compliance and cost‑out initiatives aligned to the business strategy.
- Lead the execution of the approved R&D pipeline through the Stage‑Gate process, delivering to committed timelines and enabling strong cross‑functional teamwork across multiple functions and sites.
- Prioritise and allocate resources based on project complexity, value and strategic importance.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure successful delivery of key business initiatives.
- Actively contribute to global Protein technical portfolio leverage.
- Provide technical support for existing products.
- Lead the deployment of Global and BG R&D programmes, KPIs, processes and tools.
Team and Culture
Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing team. Cultivate a collaborative, innovative culture and ensure effective communication across regions, business units, functions and markets. Champion safety and customer focus. Drive process management and compliance.
Intellectual Property Management
Manage IP strategy and confidentiality agreements. Oversee the patent‑filing process in coordination with Legal. Protect company innovations from competitive threats.
Key Challenges
- Translate diverse customer needs into commercially viable packaging solutions, and respectfully decline requests that are not viable.
- Build and lead cross‑customer project teams to deliver high‑impact results (end‑to‑end processes, raw‑material simplification, BCP and portfolio management) across diverse regions and cultures.
- Balance short‑term and long‑term priorities through effective resource allocation and a strong drive for results.
Qualifications / Requirements
- Good scientific background, preferably Master’s Degree in chemistry, engineering, material science or equivalent.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in people leadership within product development environment, preferably in a matrixed B2B.
- Project management experience in matrix organisation.
- Experience in innovation and competitiveness portfolio management, with strong data analytics understanding.
- Proven customer engagement and stakeholder management.
- Willingness to travel around 30% of time (primarily in Europe).
Specific Skills and Abilities
- Strong project and resource management skills.
- Ability to coach and mentor.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and presentation skills.
- Solid understanding of market trends and customer dynamics.
- Strong business acumen and strategic mindset.
- Comfortable working in complex, matrixed organisations with global reach and interaction.
R&D Manager - Product Development in Flint employer: Amcor
As an R&D Manager in Product Development, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritises collaboration and employee growth. Our company fosters a culture of creativity and inclusivity, offering extensive professional development opportunities and the chance to lead a high-performing team dedicated to delivering market-ready dairy solutions. With a strong commitment to sustainability and customer focus, we provide a unique platform for you to make a meaningful impact across Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Manager - Product Development in Flint
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that R&D Manager gig.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your project management experience and technical expertise. We want to see how you can lead teams and drive innovation, so come prepared with examples of your past successes!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so do your homework! Understand their products and challenges, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission and can bring fresh ideas to the table.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who can help us innovate in the dairy product development space.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Manager - Product Development in Flint
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the R&D Manager role. Highlight your experience in product development, project management, and team leadership. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about dairy product development and how you can contribute to our innovative culture. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead projects and drive results. Numbers and examples speak volumes, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Amcor
✨Know Your Product Development Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and innovations in dairy product development. Brush up on your knowledge of yoghurt, desserts, and processed cheese, as well as any recent advancements in sustainability and compliance. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but are genuinely passionate about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in a product development environment. Think about times when you’ve coached or mentored team members, and be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration and innovation within your team. This is crucial for a role that requires managing a high-performing team.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Expertise
Be ready to talk about your experience with project management, especially in a matrix organisation. Highlight specific projects where you’ve balanced short- and long-term priorities, allocated resources effectively, and delivered results. Use metrics to quantify your success whenever possible.
✨Engage with Customer Needs
Prepare to discuss how you’ve translated customer needs into viable product solutions. Think of examples where you’ve engaged with customers or stakeholders to gather insights and feedback. This will illustrate your ability to align product development with market demands, which is key for this role.
