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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development and shape the future of snacking.
- Company: Join Intersnack, a top European savoury snacks producer with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, bonuses, healthcare, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product innovation and sustainability in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in food science and proven R&D leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
Intersnack is a leading European producer of savoury snacks, creating memorable snacking experiences for millions of consumers. As a privately held business, we take a long‑term view — balancing growth, innovation and sustainability. In 2024, Intersnack achieved a turnover of more than €4.5 billion. We operate in over 30 countries, with 45 manufacturing sites, 12 regional management units and around 15,000 colleagues worldwide.
About the role
This is a senior, high‑impact role at the heart of the Intersnack R&D organisation. As R&D Category Leader, you will own the product innovation strategy for your category and co‑create the long‑term innovation roadmap in partnership with the European Category Marketing Lead. You will shape how our products evolve over the next three years — from breakthrough innovation to quality improvements, Better‑for‑You (BFY) transformation and productivity opportunities. Covering all technical aspects of the category, you will work across multiple countries, functions and cultures to turn insight into products that succeed in market and strengthen Intersnack’s reputation as a responsible manufacturer.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive annual salary
- ÂŁ9,000 car cash allowance
- Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement
- Comprehensive healthcare support – including a Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare (family cover), Digital GP, Best Doctors second‑opinion service and specialist cancer care
- KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
- 25 days holiday, with the option to buy more
- KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more
What will you be doing?
- Owning the R&D category innovation strategy, building and delivering a sustainable three‑year product innovation pipeline aligned to Group priorities
- Leading end‑to‑end product development, from consumer insight and opportunity identification through to feasibility, specification, launch and in‑market performance
- Driving quality and continuous improvement, ensuring product design improvements are captured in specifications and validated through multi‑country competitive testing
- Embedding Better‑for‑You and sustainability goals, ensuring products meet regulatory requirements and support the Group’s OGSM, CSR and sustainability ambitions
- Providing strong technical leadership and governance, managing R&D resources, steering external partners, and ensuring projects follow the IMAGINE process with clear, data‑led decision making
Who are we?
We're Intersnack, which KP Snacks is a part of. Picture this: over 15,000 of us, spread across more than 30 countries, all working together to create the snacks you love. From Hula Hoops to McCoy’s, from Pombär to Chio, we’re the team behind your favourite munchies. We’re committed to inclusion. We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.
We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:
- Deep technical expertise in food science and product development, gained within a branded FMCG food environment
- Proven experience leading complex R&D innovation projects, ideally across multiple countries and cultures
- Strong business partnering skills, with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders across R&D, Marketing, Operations, Quality and Procurement
- A track record of building and leading high‑performing teams, with a coaching mindset that develops capability and talent
- Commercial and strategic thinking, including experience with cost of goods, value engineering and innovation business cases
Education & Qualifications
- Degree‑qualified in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline (BSc, MSc, PhD or equivalent experience)
- Experience working with both branded and retailer products
- Senior‑level experience within the food industry
- Fluent English, written and spoken
- Willingness to travel and work in an international environment
R&D Category Leader - Intersnack employer: KP Snacks
Contact Detail:
KP Snacks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Category Leader - Intersnack
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Intersnack on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Intersnack’s products and recent innovations. Show us you’re not just passionate about snacks, but also about how you can contribute to their R&D goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. We want to hear about your past experiences in leading R&D projects and how you tackled challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
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 us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Intersnack family.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Category Leader - Intersnack
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the R&D Category Leader role. Highlight your relevant experience in food science and product development, and don’t forget to showcase any leadership roles you've had in innovation projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your skills align with Intersnack’s goals. Be sure to mention your experience with Better-for-You initiatives and sustainability.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve driven innovation or improved product quality in previous positions.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at KP Snacks
✨Know Your Snacks
Familiarise yourself with Intersnack's product range, especially the brands like Hula Hoops and popchips. Understanding their market position and recent innovations will help you demonstrate your passion for the industry and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your R&D Experience
Prepare to discuss specific R&D projects you've led, particularly those involving product innovation and development. Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional teams and how you've successfully navigated different cultures in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Sustainability
Intersnack values sustainability, so be ready to talk about how you've integrated Better-for-You principles into your past projects. Share examples of how you've contributed to sustainability goals and how you can align with their vision moving forward.
✨Engage with Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to food science and product development. Brush up on your knowledge of regulatory requirements and quality assurance processes. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.