Lead Research & Development R&D and New Product Development NPD at CDL Human Resource

ROLE PURPOSE

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for the company, innovation and new product development portfolio. The role owns the end-to-end innovation pipeline, product formulation, validation, scale-up, commercialization, renovation, regulatory compliance, cost optimization and technical team capability while partnering with Marketing, Quality Assurance, Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations / Functional Delivery

• Develop and execute the R&D and NPD strategy and innovation roadmap aligned to business plans, category priorities, consumer insights and profitable growth objectives.
• Lead end-to-end product development from concept brief, feasibility and formulation through laboratory and pilot trials, factory scale-up, commercialization and post-launch review.

Process Control, Quality & Reliability

• Establish robust product specifications, formulations, process parameters, trial protocols, stability and shelf-life requirements, technical dossiers and manufacturing handover controls.
• Ensure new and renovated products comply with KEBS requirements, GMP, ISO, FSSC, food-safety standards, approved claims, customer requirements and our company quality standards.

Planning, Cost & Continuous Improvement

• Manage the NPD portfolio, stage-gate reviews, project risks, laboratory and trial resources, budgets and cross-functional actions to accelerate speed to market.
• Lead value engineering, formulation optimization, alternative-material validation, packaging improvement and process enhancement without compromising safety, quality or consumer acceptance.

SHEQ, Governance & Risk Management

• Protect confidential formulations, technical data, samples, intellectual property and controlled documents, and ensure effective change control, traceability and audit readiness.
• Uphold our company SHEQ, GMP/food-safety, laboratory safety, 6K housekeeping and Code of Business Conduct standards at all times, and escalate any non-compliance promptly.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Coordination

• Lead, coach and manage the performance, discipline, competence and development of the Deputy Lead, Supervisors, Associates, Technologists and assigned project teams, ensuring succession depth.
• Coordinate Marketing, QA, Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory and Commercial stakeholders, and perform any other duties reasonably assigned by the supervisor or line manager.

Requirements

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Packaging Technology or a related field. A relevant master's degree is preferred.
• Professional training in product development, project management, design thinking, sensory science, statistical analysis, innovation management, ISO, FSSC or food safety is an advantage.

Experience Requirements

• 8 - 10 years in R&D, product development, innovation, quality or technical operations within FMCG or manufacturing, including at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience leading formulation, validation, pilot and factory trials, scale-up, commercialization, regulatory approval, cost optimization and cross-functional product launches.

Technical Competencies

• Innovation strategy, portfolio governance and stage-gate management
• Product formulation, process scale-up, validation and commercialization
• Sensory evaluation, stability studies, specifications and technical documentation
• Regulatory compliance, KEBS, GMP, ISO, FSSC and product risk management
• Value engineering, project management, data analysis and cost optimization
• Leadership & Behavioural Competencies
• Strategic thinking, innovation and commercial judgement
• Consumer focus, analytical problem solving and evidence-based decisions
• Executive influencing, cross-functional collaboration and communication
• Talent development, accountability, integrity and execution discipline

SUCCESS DEFINITION FOR THE FIRST 12-24 MONTHS

• Innovation Delivery: Approved innovation roadmap and planned launches delivered (100%)
• Project Execution: Launch milestones achieved on time and within approved budget (>=90%)
• Quality & Compliance: Product, regulatory and technical approval compliance before launch (100%)
• Value Delivery: Approved cost-optimization and value-engineering target achieved (>=100%)
• Consumer & Stakeholder Outcomes: Product acceptance and stakeholder satisfaction (>=90%)
• Build a capable, accountable technical team with clear routines, skills coverage, project governance and succession depth.

REMUNERATION

• Competitive and commensurate with the scope of the role, the successful candidate's experience and internal company guidelines. Specific terms will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.