POSITION: R&D Director - Beverages /Coffee/Cereals & New Businesses (M&A’s)
- Capability Leadership of Packaging, Consumer Technical Insight (Sensory), Process Development and Nutrition functions.

Department: R&D

Location: Binh Duong (Kumho/Bien Hoa)

Reporting to: Chief R&D Officer (vacant)

Direct reports: 25 + (TBC)

Main job purpose:

The R&D Director is responsible for the definition, prioritization and execution of the agreed R&D program to the business including innovation/renovation, Supply Chain (technology support, savings, complexity reduction, supply security), Quality and business support – aligned with the business and brand strategies. He/she is responsible for effective product deployment right down to the level of in-market implementation.

The R&D Director will lead appropriate projects around new business/categories development e.g. technical due diligence on M&As, R&D consolidation thru M&As, new category white space projects etc

The R&D Director leads capability teams – Packaging, CTI, Process Development and Nutrition across the entire R&D organization in order to execute and deliver flawlessly in-market.

They are the key R&D partner to the Brand Development and Supply Chain Leadership teams and a key member of the Senior R&D Leadership Team.

Main Accountabilities :

- Define and deliverthe various categories R&D short term roadmaps as well as the 3-5 years plans aligned with category and business strategy. Championswithin all key projects, theHolistic Product design principle, ensuring product superiority as defined by each category.

-Ensures effective portfolio and innovation gate stage leadership and management.

- Partners with the Research team to ensure the program is suitablydefined and aligned with category needs.

- Develops programs and implementsrecommendations for complexity reduction in materials and product/packaging backbones while at the same time ensuring maximum formulation/product flexibility.

- Defines/prioritizes (together with Supply Chain) the R&D Supply Chain support projects as well as material efficiency savings programs that require R&D work: technical projects (new process, technologies implementation, capabilities improvement/ manufacturing relocation), quality improvement/protocols harmonization, supply security, sourcing etc.

- Defines/prioritizes (together with Supply Chain) the R&D quality agenda and ensures delivery of the quality action plan.

- Develops the appropriate IPR strategies and positions protecting the products and technologies we generate.

- Leads appropriate projects around new business/categories development e.g. technical due diligence on M&As, R&D consolidation or expansion thru M&A’s, new category white space projects and technologies etc

- Leads capability teams – Packaging, CTI (Consumer Technical Insight/Sensory), Process Development and Nutrition across the entire R&D organization in order to execute and deliver flawlessly in-market. CTI, Process Development and Nutrition requiring a "start from scratch” design and build approach.

- Ensures development / implementation of best practice in work processes.

- Leadership and development of their teamsto ensure on time in full (shortest time possible) delivery of new innovations to the market - in addition to fulfilling long term innovation commitments.

- Inspires a culture to win in out in the marketplace. Takes ownership and action for their teams overall motivation and engagement - improving the climate and organizational effectiveness.

- Development of people through proactive management including training, coaching and career planning.

Direct Reports:

Relevant R&D teams

Key Interfaces:

Brand Development and Consumer Market Knowledge teams

Supply Chain

Regulatory and Research R&D teams

Suppliers and External Partners

Critical Success Factors for the Job

Key Skills :

- Consumer and Customer focus – with a strong bias in sensory approaches

- Strong understanding of product design, process and principles - Foods

- Claims definition

- Strong understanding of risk management and risk calculation

- Issues management/crisis preparedness & management

- Portfolio Development and Project Management

- Protecting competitive advantage and driving value from Intellectual Property

- Designing and deploying differentiated products On Time In Full

- Strong grasp on Supply Chain conversion principles – in particular Foods Process Design and Development

Relevant Experience:

- At least 5 years of management experience in a senior technical role, preferably R&D

- Degree level qualification in appropriate science or engineering subjects

- Proven track record on people development

- Proven ability to achieve results through cross-functional teams and projects

- Proven track record in establishing and building external networks