Research & Applications Manager

Research and Applications Manager

Our mission

At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities.

We are more than 10.000 employees in over 70 countries and a consolidated turnover of around 2.2 billion euros. Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

If you want to find more about us, please visit our web page at www.puratos.com

About the role:

The R&D Manager will lead and develop the R&D team. As part of the senior management team will localize Group business and development strategy. Thanks to a good customer understanding and relationships, will create unique, purpose-driven solutions for the local market. From this role, will collaborate closely with operations to ensure smooth production, quality, supply, and regulatory compliance.

Key Accountabilities

R&D Management

• Define the right R&D organization, adapted to the business needs; create agility by optimizing resources when needed. Assure a synergistic collaboration between the R&D and CTS teams resulting in a better output and a shorter time to market.
• Leading the R&D team: sourcing talents and help them to onboard, provide continuous training, development.
• Manage the R&D department through Group vision and objectives aligned and integrated in country business plans.

B)          Innovation, customer projects and Technical Support

• Manage the innovation pipeline, in line with the Group strategy and guidelines (H&WB, sustainability, focus channels, key customers) and with current and future customer needs. Always assure compliance to local regulations.
• Boost, promote and enable the development and implementation of strategic and international innovation products and services; make use of the project process tools; assure a good translation to local market needs; assure training for R&D, CTS, MKT, sales…Sales team;
• Be customer centric by driving customer projects: assure R&D and Application Specialists (= AS) to spend resp 30% and 50% of their time with customers, make use of the Go-no Go process; assure product development in line with the customer request and Puratos capabilities; organize and support training sessions for customers.
• Organize internal product trainings for the business development and operation teams.
• Organize competence building projects internally or with external partners and translate this in new business development and innovation opportunities.
• Ensure confidentiality and respect Group rules on IP protection in all activities.
• Sustain adoption of digital tools and processes automation.

C)         Support improvement of Profitability and Support Operations

• Provide support to operations (production, QC, QA) for the implementation of new ingredients and products on our lines, during the startup of new lines, for process improvement projects, for non-conformities and customer complaints, for approval of second suppliers.
• Take a pro-active approach to reduce the cost of our products and services, in collaboration with purchase and operations; participate to portfolio optimization projects on raw materials and finished goods.
• Provide support during external quality audits; ensure a perfect and traceable documentation of all relevant R&D activities.

D)         Internal and external stakeholder management

• Contribute as an active member of the management team to sustain business objectives and projects in the local organization.
• Create a strong network with the leaders of the countries, contribute to a trustful collaboration, inspire the teams with new products, services, concepts, and ideas, and assure a close collaboration that results in a smooth implementation and a shorter time to market.
• Create a strong internal network with stakeholders from HQ, the region, and other countries, in the effort to share best practices, learn, improve, and create new solutions to meet customer´s challenges.
• Create a strong external network with key customers, suppliers, research institutes, local authorities, and sectorial associations, to accelerate the detection of future challenges and opportunities, and accelerate accordingly the development of solutions.

Competences, knowledge & personal qualities

• Strong R&D expertise, scientific curiosity, and digital knowledge.
• Inspiring team leader, attracting and developing a diverse team of talents.
• Strong Customer orientation and commercial drive (driving projects into sales).
• Capable of translating a business strategy into an R&D strategy.
• Good networker within/out of the organization.
• Able to turn needs into unique, purpose-driven solutions for customers.
• Strong planning with structured approach and project management skills.
• Self-driven and dynamic with an international mind-set.
• Ambitious and determined to achieve results and be part of a winning team.

Professional Experience & Qualifications

• Academic background: Master’s degree in food science or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in applied R&D from international food industry.
• Having 3 years’ experience in leading the R&D activity and team from international food industry.
• R&D experience from bakery, patisserie or chocolate industry is a plus.
• Good knowledge of food regulations.
• Languages: Fluent in English.
• Travel: expected to travel frequently in the region and occasionally to HQ in Belgium. Spend 30% of the time with customers.

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