Senior R&D Manager - Nutraceuticals

RBW Consulting; Widnes; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

RBW Consulting in Widnes is seeking an experienced Senior R&D Manager to lead the development of nutraceutical products and steer innovation strategy within a fast-paced commercial environment.

You will manage a multidisciplinary R&D team, collaborate with customers and cross-functional colleagues, and ensure projects meet regulatory requirements while driving growth and strategic influence across the business.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in nutraceuticals, food supplements, functional foods, or related sectors.
• Proven leadership experience managing technical or R&D teams.
• Strong customer-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept through to launch.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to build credibility with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organisational capabilities.
• Scientific degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Experience working with vitamins, minerals, botanicals, functional ingredients, or health supplements.
• Knowledge of UK and EU nutraceutical regulations.
• Experience within a contract manufacturing or customer-led development environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of up to 10 R&D professionals.
• Drive the end-to-end development of nutraceutical and health supplement products.
• Manage multiple innovation and product development projects simultaneously.
• Act as the key technical contact for customers and clients, building strong long-term relationships.
• Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams.
• Identify market trends, emerging ingredients, and innovation opportunities.
• Support business growth through new product development and customer-led projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with regulatory requirements.
• Present technical information confidently to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

R&D management

Stakeholder management

Product development

Project management

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Team building

Education

Science degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry or related field

Job description

Working Pattern: Site-based with some flexibility for hybrid working

Shape the Future of Nutraceutical Innovation

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior R&D Manager to join a growing and innovative nutraceutical business based in Widnes. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development of new products, drive innovation strategy, and manage a talented R&D team within a fast-paced commercial environment.

As Senior R&D Manager, you will play a pivotal role in bringing new nutraceutical products to market, collaborating closely with customers, commercial teams, manufacturing, quality, and external stakeholders to deliver commercially successful innovations.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you will:

• Lead and develop a team of up to 10 R&D professionals
• Drive the end-to-end development of nutraceutical and health supplement products
• Manage multiple innovation and product development projects simultaneously
• Act as the key technical contact for customers and clients, building strong long-term relationships
• Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams
• Identify market trends, emerging ingredients, and innovation opportunities
• Support business growth through new product development and customer-led projects
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with regulatory requirements
• Present technical information confidently to both internal and external stakeholders
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement

About You

We are looking for a commercially aware R&D leader who combines strong technical expertise with excellent people management and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Significant experience within nutraceuticals, food supplements, functional foods, or related sectors
• Proven leadership experience managing technical or R&D teams
• Strong customer-facing and stakeholder management skills
• Experience leading product development projects from concept through to launch
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to build credibility with both internal and external stakeholders
• Strong project management and organisational capabilities
• Scientific degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline
• Experience working with vitamins, minerals, botanicals, functional ingredients, or health supplements
• Knowledge of UK and EU nutraceutical regulations
• Experience within a contract manufacturing or customer-led development environment

What's On Offer?

• Opportunity to lead a high-performing R&D function
• Strategic role with significant influence across the business
• Innovative and growing nutraceutical organization
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Clear opportunity to make a lasting impact on future product innovation

If you are an experienced R&D leader looking for the next step in your career and want to play a key role in shaping the future of nutraceutical innovation, we'd love to hear from you.