R&D and Innovation Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is seeking an R&D and Innovation Manager to lead our client's innovation and product development efforts in West Yorkshire. The role focuses on new product design, development and handover, with oversight of UK R&D staff and facilities and control of innovation expenditures.

You will drive the innovation portfolio, collaborate with the Technical Director, define platform development, work with regional teams on product improvements, ensure data-driven decision making

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of direct formulation development experience.
• 3–5 years' experience in managing technical teams.
• Strong background in R&D program and project management.
• Familiarity with advanced data management and problem-solving techniques.
• Proven experience in people and expenditure management.
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills, both within and across teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the progression of the innovation portfolio, ensuring planning, resource balance, and outputs are formalised and align with strategy and budget.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director to deliver the innovation strategy, skills and competency frameworks, and functional excellence standards.
• Define and deliver technical platform development, applying and developing formulation expertise to support current and future growth demands.
• Work closely with Regional Techno-Operational teams on product range improvement projects to enhance process capability, quality, and market suitability.
• Champion data creation and usage to accelerate development and optimise resources required for new product control and delivery.
• Manage the UK R&D laboratory, technical staff, and service KPIs as defined by the function and business.
• Handle documentation and traceability for Standards conformity.
• Define and deliver customer technical service in collaboration with the Commercial Team on a global scale, including Key Account Manager (KAM) technical programs.

Skills

Formulation development

R&D program management

Team leadership

Data management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related discipline

Job description

R&D and Innovation Manager

Location: West Yorkshire

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Competitive

We are seeking an R&D and Innovation Manager to lead our client's innovation and technical program delivery, focusing on new product design, development, and operational handover. This role involves managing UK R&D staff and facilities and overseeing expenditure for innovation and customer technical support activities.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Manage the progression of the innovation portfolio, ensuring planning, resource balance, and outputs are formalised and align with strategy and budget.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director to deliver the innovation strategy, skills and competency frameworks, and functional excellence standards.
• Define and deliver technical platform development, applying and developing formulation expertise to support current and future growth demands.
• Work closely with Regional Techno-Operational teams on product range improvement projects to enhance process capability, quality, and market suitability.
• Champion data creation and usage to accelerate development and optimise resources required for new product control and delivery.
• Manage the UK R&D laboratory, technical staff, and service KPIs as defined by the function and business.
• Handle documentation and traceability for Standards conformity.
• Define and deliver customer technical service in collaboration with the Commercial Team on a global scale, including Key Account Manager (KAM) technical programs.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• 3-5 years of direct formulation development experience.
• 3-5 years' experience in managing technical teams.
• Strong background in R&D program and project management.
• Familiarity with advanced data management and problem-solving techniques.
• Proven experience in people and expenditure management.
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills, both within and across teams.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Dynamic and innovative work environment.