R&D TECHNOLOGIST

McCormick & Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking an R&D Technologist in Dubai. This role focuses on developing savoury snack seasonings, managing customer accounts, and ensuring alignment with business goals. The ideal candidate has a relevant background in R&D and a degree in Food Science. Strong technical skills and an ability to work under pressure are essential. The position offers opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and innovation.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in R&D, preferably in savoury snacks.
• Ability to work under pressure and on short deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic customer accounts across the Middle East.
• Develop snack seasoning in line with customer briefs.
• Accountable for new product development projects.
• Improve existing products and reduce costs.
• Provide technical guidance during production trials.
• Keep up to date with market trends and technologies.
• Maintain food hygiene and safety standards.

Skills

Self-motivated

Assertive communication

Computer skills - Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Time management

Problem-solving

Ability to multitask

Education

Graduate/Postgraduate in Food Science or similar

Job description

R&D Technologist
Dubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone

The R&D Technologist will be responsible for managing strategic customer accounts across the Middle East region, ensuring alignment with business goals and delivering long-term value. This role involves leading the development and application of savoury snack seasonings in response to customer briefs and innovation strategies. The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally to oversee projects from initial concept through scale-up, trials, and final commercialization.

Additionally, the R&D Technologist will maintain strong customer relationships by providing ongoing technical support, contributing to both the retention of existing business and the identification and development of new opportunities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop snack seasoning inline with customer briefs, specifications and requirements. Manage application part and present the newly developed products to the customers.
• Accountable for the new product development (NPD), product match and reformulation projects within the seasoning category.
• Continuously improve existing products by modifying /replacing / introducing ingredients thereby enhancing overall performance.
• Reduce the cost of existing products by identifying cost-effective ingredient alternatives and optimizing raw material usage—without compromising product quality.
• Attend production trials internally and / customer site and provide technical guidance wherever applicable.
• Attend supplier presentations, internal meetings, as well as meetings and conferences with customers.
• Keeping up to date with market trends and emerging technologies, integrating relevant innovations into development projects to maintain competitive advantage.
• Maintain highest standards of food hygiene and safety throughout the project phases.
• Maintain awareness and keep up to date with current food legislation.
• Support technical department functions, including hygiene checks and internal audits, as needed.
• Help to develop NPD trainee technologist and NPD technician by sharing expertise and fostering skill development.
• Other ad hoc duties as appropriate, in line with business requirements.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Relevant experience within the R&D preferably in the savoury snack category.
• Graduate / Postgraduate level preferably from Food Science or similar.

• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative.
• Assertive and able to communicate efficiently to various levels within the organisation.
• Computer skills – Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to work under pressure and on short deadlines.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team or individually (ability to use own initiative).
• General numerical and problem-solving skills (logical approach to problems).
• Ability to work cross-functionally within the team and show adaptability.
• Ability to multitask and be detail oriented.

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.