Interim R&D Manager — Lead Fast-Paced NPD (6mo)

Randstad; Oñate; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad is seeking an Interim R&D Manager for a leading food manufacturing company based in Oñati, Spain. This is a delivery-focused, hands-on leadership role to keep project momentum, coordinate the team, and drive pipeline execution during a temporary transition.

You'll lead an R&D team of technicians (~5–7 people), collaborate across Sales, Operations, Quality, and Sourcing, and ensure launches are ready from industrial, quality, cost, and timeline perspectives.

Qualifications

• Strong project management and team leadership skills in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Proven track record in stakeholder management, cross-functional coordination, and pragmatic problem-solving.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Maintain project pipeline continuity for R&D and NPD, managing risks and bottlenecks.
• Lead and empower a team of R&D technicians (~5–7 people) with clear focus.
• Coordinate across Sales, Operations, Quality, Category Management, and Sourcing.
• Lead project follow-ups, NPD reviews, status reporting, and governance.
• Support launch readiness across industrial, quality, cost, and timeline.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional coordination

English fluency

Operational delivery

Job description

Randstad is seeking an Interim R&D Manager for a leading food manufacturing company based in Oñati, Spain. This is a delivery-focused, hands-on leadership role to keep project momentum, coordinate the team, and drive pipeline execution during a temporary transition.

You'll lead an R&D team of technicians (~5–7 people), collaborate across Sales, Operations, Quality, and Sourcing, and ensure launches are ready from industrial, quality, cost, and timeline perspectives.