Chief Research Officer

QLM Search; Tarragona; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

QLM Search partners with a leading Food & Nutrition business headquartered in Tarragona, Spain to appoint an exceptional Chief Research & Development Officer. Shape the organisation's global innovation agenda, accelerate product development and translate scientific expertise into sustainable commercial growth.

Reporting to the CEO and as a core ELT member, you will lead R&D strategy, build multidisciplinary teams and drive a pipeline of science-led products for international markets, aligning

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in R&D/innovation within food, nutrition or ingredients sectors.
• Proven track record translating research into commercially successful products.
• Experience building and transforming multidisciplinary scientific teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a comprehensive R&D and innovation strategy aligned with long-term growth.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across food science, nutrition, product development and technology.
• Drive development of differentiated, science-led products delivering consumer value.
• Build and accelerate a commercially focused innovation pipeline to speed time-to-market.
• Identify emerging technologies and external partnerships to create competitive advantage.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, Ops and Supply Chain to translate innovation into business opportunities.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, entrepreneurship and continuous improvement.
• Advise CEO and ELT on future growth opportunities in technology and innovation.

Skills

R&D leadership

Innovation strategy

Technology translation

Cross-functional leadership

Global market insights

Education

PhD in Food Science or related field

Tools

R&D portfolio management software

Job description

We are partnering with a leading Food & Nutrition business headquartered in Tarragona, Spain to appoint an exceptional Chief Research & Development Officer.

This is a pivotal executive leadership opportunity for an accomplished R&D leader to shape the organisation's global innovation agenda, accelerate product development and translate scientific expertise into sustainable commercial growth.

Operating at the intersection of food science, nutrition, technology and consumer innovation, the successful candidate will play a critical role in defining the next chapter of the business's development.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and operating as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief R&D Officer will take overall responsibility for the organisation's research, development and innovation strategy.

The role will combine long-term strategic vision with operational excellence, ensuring that scientific capabilities, technology platforms and product development programmes are aligned with evolving consumer needs and commercial priorities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Define and execute an ambitious R&D and innovation strategy aligned with the organisation's long-term growth objectives.
• Lead and develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across food science, nutrition, product development and technology.
• Drive the development of differentiated, science-led products and solutions that deliver meaningful value to customers and consumers.
• Build a commercially focused innovation pipeline, accelerating speed to market and improving R&D effectiveness.
• Identify and leverage emerging technologies, scientific developments and external partnerships to create competitive advantage.
• Collaborate closely with Commercial, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain leadership to translate innovation into scalable business opportunities.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, entrepreneurship, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Act as a strategic adviser to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on innovation, technology and future growth opportunities.

Candidate Profile:

We are seeking an internationally minded, commercially astute R&D executive with a strong track record of delivering innovation and leading organisational development within the Food & Ingredients nutrition sector.

• Significant senior leadership experience in R&D, innovation or technology within the food, nutrition, ingredients or related sectors.
• A strong scientific or technical foundation, combined with a demonstrable ability to translate research into commercially successful products.
• Experience developing and executing R&D strategies within complex, international organisations.Proven success in building, inspiring and transforming multidisciplinary scientific and technical teams.
• A sophisticated understanding of industry trends, consumer needs and the evolving food and nutrition landscape.
• Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking and the ability to influence at executive and board level.