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: Embrace a culture of collaboration and creativity while advancing your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving innovation and collaborating with diverse teams.
- 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 Stevenston 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 diverse regions in Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Manager - Product Development in Stevenston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their market position and recent innovations. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the R&D Manager role. Highlight your leadership skills and project management experience, and don’t forget to showcase your passion for product development.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Manager - Product Development in Stevenston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly 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 tell us 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:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven innovation or improved processes in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Let’s get started on this journey together!
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 specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. Highlight your ability to coach and mentor others, as this is crucial for the R&D Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams. Share instances where you’ve partnered with sales or other departments to deliver innovative solutions. This will illustrate your ability to manage internal and external partners effectively, which is key for this position.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive deep into your technical expertise, especially around project management and resource allocation. Brush up on the Stage-Gate process and be prepared to discuss how you prioritise projects based on complexity and strategic importance. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.
