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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in food and drink product development and consultancy.
- Company: Campden BRI, a trusted partner for food and drink manufacturers.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, employee discounts, and work/life balance.
- Why this job: Drive sustainable growth and make a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or Technology with extensive industry experience.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and leadership.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Campden BRI support our customers and members (food & drink manufacturers, retailers and associates) with multiple areas of technical consultancy across product innovation. The Senior R&D Manager will lead, develop and commercialise a multidisciplinary consultancy for the food and drink sector. The role provides strategic, technical and commercial leadership across multiple specialist teams, including Product R&D, Consumer Insights and Sensory Analysis, delivering integrated consultancy, research and training services to start‑ups, scale‑ups and established food manufacturing businesses. The post holder will drive sustainable growth in revenue, margin and market reputation by building strong client relationships and positioning the organisation as a trusted partner for product development, reformulation, quality improvement and consumer‑led innovation. The role covers the full innovation lifecycle—from consumer insight and concept development through product design, scale‑up and manufacture—alongside ingredient research, troubleshooting, root cause analysis and the resolution of sensory, quality and performance issues. It also includes reformulation to support health trends, regulatory compliance, ingredient availability, design to value, cost optimisation and shelf‑life extension, as well as providing deep technical expertise on ingredient functionality and raw material specification changes.
What you’ll be doing:
- Strategic Leadership across multiple specialist teams
- Technical Leadership Across the Full Product Innovation Lifecycle
- Commercial Leadership & Business Growth
- Project and Programme Management
- People Leadership & Capability Development
- Client Relationship Management and External Engagement
What we’re looking for:
- Degree qualified in a Food Science or Technology, with experience in food manufacturing to give the appropriate level of credibility to operate in this broad and strategic role. A higher degree may be an advantage if in an appropriate area.
- Effective and extensive technical project and programme management skills from recent experience.
- Significant credibility in product innovation accrued through extensive industrial experience in Product Innovation, Product Renovation and Cost optimisation (reformulation) across the Supply chain from ideation to manufacturing and beyond in distribution (vis a vis shelf life).
- Understanding of sensory science (experimental design) tools during NPD process an advantage along with consumer validation methodologies including opportunity and penalty analysis.
- Experience in scale up from concept to manufacturing production.
- A thorough understanding of a products P&L, including Cost of Goods (COGs), manufacturing conversion costs and basic principles of mass flow through a manufacturing process.
- Good verbal and communication skills to form good business relationships and to develop new business.
- Effective time management skills relating to effective delivery and business practices.
- Skilled at developing new ideas and bringing them to fruition in a friendly but challenging multidisciplinary environment.
- Full UK/EU driving licence and be eligible to work and travel freely within the EU.
What we offer:
- Reward platform with employee discounts and rewards
- 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
- Buy and sell holiday scheme
- A generous work save pension scheme, with employee contributions matched by the company up to 10%
- Culture focus around work/life balance (early finish Fridays)
- Subsidised onsite restaurant
Head of Research And Development in England employer: Campden BRI
Contact Detail:
Campden BRI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research And Development in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that who you know can sometimes be just as important as what you know, so don’t be shy about making connections.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. We want to see you shine, so come armed with questions that show your interest in their work and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along a portfolio of your past projects or case studies that highlight your skills in product innovation and project management. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can lead and drive results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We appreciate when candidates take the time to express their gratitude and enthusiasm.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research And Development in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Research and Development role. Highlight your technical project management skills and any relevant experience in product innovation to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food science and how your background makes you the perfect fit for leading our multidisciplinary consultancy. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves strategic and people leadership, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We want to see how you can inspire and drive growth within our organisation!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Campden BRI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food science and technology knowledge. Understand the full innovation lifecycle, from consumer insights to product design and scale-up. Being able to discuss specific examples of your experience in product innovation and reformulation will show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Research and Development, you'll need to demonstrate your strategic and technical leadership abilities. Prepare to share examples of how you've led multidisciplinary teams and managed projects effectively. Highlight your experience in building strong client relationships and driving business growth.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about sensory science and consumer validation methodologies. Brush up on experimental design tools and be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in past roles. This will help you showcase your deep technical expertise and credibility in the field.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Good verbal communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex topics like P&L and cost optimisation. Remember, it’s not just about what you say, but how you say it that can make a lasting impression.