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 opportunities for professional growth and global engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving innovation in dairy while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant field and 5+ years in product development leadership.
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 Swansea 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 teamwork, offering opportunities for professional development while ensuring a strong focus on customer needs and sustainability. With a commitment to excellence and a supportive work atmosphere, we empower our employees to lead impactful projects across diverse regions in Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Manager - Product Development in Swansea
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of your past projects and how you’ve driven innovation and efficiency. This is your time to shine and show them why you’re the perfect fit for the R&D Manager role.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to align with their values and goals. Research their recent projects and challenges, and come prepared with ideas on how you can contribute to their success in product development.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our innovative culture.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Manager - Product Development in Swansea
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 coaching and mentoring experiences, as these are crucial for the R&D Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with different departments to achieve project goals. Share instances where you’ve partnered with sales or other teams to deliver innovative solutions. This will illustrate your ability to navigate a matrixed organisation and manage diverse stakeholder needs.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Brush up on your understanding of project management methodologies, especially the Stage-Gate process. Being able to articulate how you would approach resource allocation and project execution will set you apart from other candidates.
