Research and Development Lead at Upfield

About the position

• Reporting to the Head of Research and Development (R&D)- AMEA, the prime responsibility of the Research and Development (R&D) Lead-East & Southern Africa (ESA), is the technical delivery of innovations/renovation in East and Southern Business Unit on time in full, ensuring full legal, regulatory and safety compliance.
• You will provide local technical input/insights into innovation projects to R&D and key Business Unit partners and support the Business Unit, in activation of new/rejuvenated product launches where close teamwork is required with culinary, Marketing and SC Teams.
• You are a Technical Product Leader who thrives by leading and landing innovation, renovation or cost saving initiatives and regional R & D projects.

So, what does it take to be successful in this role?

• Leading the implementation of new product developments in East and Southern Africa on time in full with clear project networks and ensuring full legal, regulatory and safety compliance
• You will be responsible for Project Leadership of projects -single point of accountability for technical delivery and responsible for communication with stakeholder(s) on all technical elements
• Provide technical input and insights into innovation projects to the R&D organization, Business Unit marketing, external relations, supply chain and technical compliance networks
• Development, training, and execution of R&D relevant product activations including training sales force on product knowledge
• You will provide guidance on technical supportability of advertising claims in communication with trade and consumers based on excellent technical, legal and competitor understanding
• You will deploy and support sales training and execution of projects in market
• You will assume overall responsibility for delivery of innovation/renovation/cost reduction and compliances in in East and Southern Africa Business Unit
• Drive compliances and delivery of projects and gate documents including compliance checks and local requirements
• You will work closely with Supply Management and Supply Chain on local supply chain support activities e.g. value improvement, third party manufacturing support, alternative sourcing
• As Research and Development Manager you will be leading and landing the RD driven agenda in the region.

Skills, experience and qualifications

•  Minimum university degree in food science or relevant science
• Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in regulatory, foods product development, project leadership, preferably in the context of complex, Regional and Global projects
• Knowledge in plant-based food (Oils & Fats, Spreads, Margarine, cheese, creams & dressings) technology
• A team player with a can-do mentality
• Self-starter, but can also work in a global framework
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt within a fast-changing environment
• Strong communicator
• Fluent in English, spoken and written.