Manager- Research & Development - IMDU - R&D Administration

Griffith Foods; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food service industry is seeking a senior product development professional to drive innovation and sustainability in their product offerings. The role involves developing product pipelines, managing local R&D teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in food science and proven leadership experience, along with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex challenges in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Proven management and leadership experience at a senior level.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Develop the product pipeline with current and future customers.
• Grow and transform the product portfolio to meet nutrition and sustainability criteria.
• Engage in hands-on product development with customers.

Skills

Creative problem solving

Communication

Relationship building

Project management

Business acumen

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology or Chemistry

Job description

About Us

GRIFFCO Foods results from the strategic partnership between Griffith Foods and IFFCO, driven by purpose and over 100 years of a solid family-based culture. It combines Griffith Food's global reach, innovation expertise, and core capabilities with IFFCO's deep-rooted heritage and outstanding infrastructure in the region.

GRIFFCO Foods is the only food service partner that provides expert, sustainable food solutions with agility for businesses seeking insight-oriented, culinary-inspired innovation across the GCC, the Levant region, Egypt, and Pakistan. They support clients as a global, agile product development partner to keep them future-ready amid fast-changing trends and preferences.

Our Purpose

At GRIFFCO Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, emphasizing what makes us distinct and authentic. We aim to collaboratively create best-in-class sustainable products and solutions that are globally local, leveraging centuries of product development expertise with the speed, agility, and precision needed for future-ready innovation.

Join Our Family

Joining GRIFFCO Foods means becoming part of our community of change-makers. We encourage and empower our team to make meaningful contributions and discover innovative solutions.

GRIFFCO Foods is committed to equal opportunity employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or other protected characteristics. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall, and termination.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop the product pipeline with current and future customers, understanding their needs and creating mutual value solutions.
• Grow and transform the product portfolio to meet nutrition and sustainability criteria.
• Engage in hands-on product development with customers.
• Build a fully engaged local R&D team with standalone, fit-for-purpose capabilities, including raw materials, culinary center, and pilot-scale assets.
• Unlock value through existing regional and global product portfolios.
• Support end-to-end creation of value streams in key markets.
• Build and leverage a network of partners regionally and globally, utilizing internal and external networks and creating new partnerships in an ecosystem approach.
• Understand regulatory constraints and work with internal and external partners to ensure compliance.
• Assist in setting up manufacturing and co-manufacturing in selected countries.

Problem Solving/Decision Making

• Operate effectively in a highly ambiguous environment, demonstrating creative problem-solving skills and navigating complex challenges.
• Work independently, exercising ingenuity and judgment to accomplish tasks.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum degree in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Proven management and leadership experience at a senior level.
• Fluent in English.
• Experience in technical development of savory products, including protein and snacks.
• Experience working both locally and internationally.
• Awareness of current flavor, culinary trends, and new food technology.
• Experience in people leadership and remote line management is a plus.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Creative problem solver across the value chain, from raw materials to customer scale-up.
• End-to-end product leadership experience, from culinary development to manufacturing scale-up.
• High learning agility and drive for results.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity.
• Strong business acumen.
• Experience in B2B or foodservice sectors is preferred.
• Effective priority setting and project management skills.
• Hands-on benchtop development experience with a willingness to be actively involved.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Griffith Foods is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate based on various protected characteristics. We also provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities, upon request, unless it causes undue hardship or safety risks. Please notify Human Resources if accommodations are needed.