Join the Magic

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 85 countries and a consolidated turnover of 3.1 billion euros (in 2023). 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.

To strengthen our team in Puratos Fourayes, near Sittingbourne, Kent, we are looking for a:

R&D Manager,

(Sittingbourne, UK)

Your Mission

The R&D Manager role works to future proof our business by investigating the latest innovations in raw materials and technologies and applying those insights to create best in class customer solutions. The R&D Manager will create a broad network of external and internal connections to lead thought leadership in their specific field.

Together with Senior R&D Managers, they contribute to the future of the SBU and strategy for their business unit.

Key responsibilities

Customer Support

• Working with our customers to understand their needs and resolve their technical problems
• Providing technical expertise on ingredient selection, sourcing and functionality
• Proactive, professional, and confident communications with our teams and customers

Product Design

• Creating and improving our Fillings products across various manufacturing platforms
• Understanding what, why and how to use raw materials to create and ameliorate
• Being fluent with the UK’s food legislation landscape and how it could change

Team Leadership

• Managing, Mentoring and Leading a team of R&D colleagues
• Creating and deploying a vision for the future of your product category
• Operating in a cross-functional team with our Marketing, Operations and Sales colleagues

Process Optimisation

• Leading the scale-up and process improvement of Fillings products in our Plants
• Being familiar with the equipment that turns ideas into reality, in the lab and on plant
• Applying scientific methodology, understanding how to discover objectively and repeatably

Networking and Influencing

• Establishing yourself as a thought leadership for ingredients within Puratos UK
• Representing Puratos UK at Industry events
• Understanding the market; knowing plant, products, and people

Who are we looking for?

Are you driven by curiosity and a commitment to environmental challenges? Do you excel in resilience, mindful disruption, and scientific rigor?

We are seeking an individual who displays:

Commitment - To the environmental challenge, particularly with respect to resource

Curiosity – Constantly searching for new information and novel ways to use established wisdom

Humility – Sharing knowledge and experience freely to enrich others

Mindful disruption – Not held back by convention

Resilience – Trying, learning and trying again, whether we succeed or fail

Rigour & discipline – Use scientific method to pose and answer questions

And who:

• Has a minimum of 5 years’ experience
• Can travel in the UK and occasionally abroad (1-2 days a week)
• Is open to flexible working hours
• Is computer literate (primary usage: Microsoft Office Suite)
• Holds a Food Hygiene level 3 Certificate
• Has a drivers’ license

What can you expect from us

Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package, but additionally, it offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.

If you join our team, you can expect:

• Competitive salary package which is reviewed annually
• 37.5 working hours per week
• A 5% bonus
• Loyal Service Awards
• Company pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• Life insurance 4 x salary
• Monthly recognition scheme
• Perkbox discount platform
• Professional in-house and external trainings

Watch our corporate movie and feel the Puratos Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNRsBzuRlNI