As a member of R&D Country Team, the Senior R&D Manager Bakery works closely to R&D Country Manager and Sales & Marketing team to offer the best technical support to customers, developing and adapting Bakery products according to their needs. Core responsibilities are in the following R&D domains: product development, product innovation, new ingredients and technologies scouting, customer technical support, R&D SBU Bakery team coaching and development.

Main Responsibilities

• Build and keep strong and effective relationships with customers, also through visits together with KA to promote co-creation approach (mobility foreseen 70%)

• In collaboration with Business Development Team, define and implement R&D Bakery channel strategy and ensure the technical Bakery support plan for all channels

• Manage and guide the local R&D SBU Bakery team to develop each team member and achieve defined objectives

• Promote and ensure effective collaboration between the R&D SBU Bakery team and all other company functions, including Operations & QA.

• Ensure compliance of documentation in line with BRC certification for the Business unit

• Monitor and evaluate possible implementations of new Bakery ingredients and technologies available on the market

• Manage the local R&D Bakery innovation funnel ensuring its constant renewal and execution on time

• Define and monitor R&D Bakery KPI’s

• Ensure the accuracy of the technical data related to the Bakery products (data sheet, declaration, formulas) paying particular attention to the confidentiality of the formulas and know-how

• Implement all digital tools available in terms of project & customer management.

Key Deliverables

• Lead Bakery product and technology innovation; promote and implement Local innovations

• Develop, adapt and improve Bakery products, also modifying current recipes using new ingredients, alternative raw materials and suppliers

• Manage projects and formulas/recipes

• Support Operations & QA/QCteam

• Build benchmark at local and global level

• Create and keep excellence in Customer Technical Support from the SBU Bakery perspective.

• Ensure active collaboration with the HQ Bakery R&D structure

• Establish and maintain relationships with universities, research laboratories

Background & Skills

• At least 8-10 Years experience in R&D roles, in food companies with local production.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, ability to define and implement an R&D Bakery strategy based on business priorities / goals 
• Ability to interact with all levels and functions within an organization; developing constructive and professional relationships and facilitate changes by influencing others
• People leadership experience and ability to work with diverse styles and cultures