At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects in food and drink consultancy, driving product development and consumer insights.
- Company: Dynamic consultancy focused on sustainable growth in the food and drink sector.
- Benefits: Employee discounts, 25 days holiday, and a rewarding work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and challenging environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food innovation while leading diverse teams and projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or Technology with extensive experience in food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
The R&D Senior Manager leads, develops and commercialises 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 product’s 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
Senior R&D Manager employer: Campdenbri
As a Senior R&D Manager at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that champions creativity and collaboration within the food and drink sector. We offer a robust reward platform, generous holiday allowance, and a culture that prioritises professional development and employee well-being, ensuring you have the resources to excel in your role while making a meaningful impact on sustainable growth and product innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior R&D Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies that highlight your achievements in product innovation and project management. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to R&D and product development. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior R&D Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior R&D Manager role. Highlight your background in food science, product innovation, and any relevant project management experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the food and drink sector and how your leadership skills can drive our consultancy forward. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's successful product launches or innovative solutions you've implemented, we want to see how you've made a difference!
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 our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Campdenbri
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food science and technology knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience in product innovation and reformulation, as well as any technical project management skills you've honed. This role is all about credibility, so show them you know the ins and outs of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic and technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams. Think about times when you've successfully managed projects or developed people. They want to see how you can drive growth and build strong client relationships, so have those stories ready!
✨Understand the Innovation Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the full innovation lifecycle from consumer insight to product design and manufacturing. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated this process in the past, especially regarding scale-up and troubleshooting. This will demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of the role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice your verbal communication skills, as you'll need to form good business relationships. Think about how you can convey complex ideas simply and clearly. They’ll be looking for someone who can engage with clients and stakeholders, so make sure you come across as approachable and knowledgeable.
