R&D Lean Manager (m/f/d)

Arethia; Reinbek; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Arethia is looking for an R&D Lean Manager to drive efficiency and innovation in flavor solutions. This role involves leading continuous improvement initiatives, implementing lean processes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align objectives. Candidates should possess strong expertise in R&D management, lean methodologies, and data-driven decision-making. Join a company that values agility and personal growth, offering flexible work arrangements and a dynamic work environment.

Leistungen

Flexible working hours and home office options

30 days paid vacation per year

Monthly allowance of €50 for BAV

Regular company events

Paid team dinners twice a year

Fresh fruit, free drinks, and snacks in the office

Qualifikationen

• 3+ years of experience in R&D, preferably within the flavour or food industry.
• Proven experience applying lean principles.
• Strong understanding of product development cycles.

Aufgaben

• Develop and implement lean methodologies to optimize workflows.
• Lead documentation and training of R&D processes.
• Establish performance metrics for R&D efficiency.

Kenntnisse

Lean principles

Project Management

Data-driven decision making

Ausbildung

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food/Chemistry, Engineering

Tools

Confluence

Power BI

Jira

Jobbeschreibung

Role Description

We are seeking a results-driven and innovation-focused R&D Lean Manager to lead continuous improvement initiatives within our R&D organization. You will integrate lean principles into R&D workflows to enhance efficiency, accelerate innovation, reduce waste, and improve cross-functional collaboration. This role is critical in driving operational excellence and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, customer-centric flavour solutions.

Your Mission

• Lean Strategy & Implementation: Develop and lead the implementation of lean methodologies (e.g., value stream mapping, 5S, A3 problem solving, Kaizen) across the R&D department to optimize workflows, reduce cycle times, and streamline product development.
• Process Documentation & Improvement: Lead the documentation and training of all R&D process in our SOPs and WayofWorkings and identify, analyze, and execute improvement initiatives in flavour formulation, application, and sample management.
• KPI-Management: Establish performance metrics for R&D efficiency and quality, and provide regular reporting to senior leadership.
• Project Management: Manage or support key R&D projects with a focus on lean execution, resource optimization, and risk management.
• Innovation Support: Enable faster innovation cycles and scalable flavour development by refining processes, lab operations, and project workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Development, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Manufacturing teams to align R&D objectives with overall business goals.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in technical (Food/Chemistry, Engineering) or business discipline
• 3+ years of experience in R&D, preferably within the flavour, food, beverage, or ingredients industry.
• Proven experience applying lean principles in R&D or innovation environments
• Strong understanding of product development cycles, especially in a flavour or food tech context.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with agile work and modern documentation tools (Confluence)
• Comfortable with data-driven decision-making and project management tools (e.g., Power BI, Jira).
  
  

Why you'll love working here

• Exciting tasks in an internationally operating, growing family business with flat hierarchies
• Flexible working hours and home office options
• 4 weeks remote work from other EU countries
• 30 days paid vacation per year
• Salary bands for a fair corporate culture
• Monthly allowance of €50 for your BAV
• Annual 360° feedback loops with clear promotion criteria and an individual career path
• Responsibility from day one in a company that encourages personal responsibility and growth
• Relocation costs can be reimbursed on a pro rata basis
• Regular company events such as summer party, Christmas party
• Paid team dinners or activities for each team twice a year
• Free parking right outside the door
• Perks and benefits: JobRad, subsidized lunch, subsidy for the Deutschlandticket, free language courses and discounted memberships at several gyms and for the Wellpass
• Fresh fruit, free drinks and snacks in the office
  
  

About Us

At Arethia, we fuse our long-standing reputation with a continual push for progress. A rapidly expanding player in the flavour industry, Arethia specialises in delivering innovative taste solutions and co-creating products that consumers love. For more than 70 years, Arethia has been known for its close collaboration with customers and the highest quality standards. With over 250 employees spread across Germany, Switzerland, Dubai, and Indonesia, we aim to shape the future of flavours with a culture that values agility, transparency, and talent.