Director-Research&Technology

KOS International Talent Group; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

KOS International Talent Group is seeking a senior R&D leader in Hong Kong to own and evolve the Technical Service roadmap, aligning with strategic themes and future innovation needs. You will drive a 1-to-3-year technology roadmap with PDC and ensure safe, accurate landings of new technologies.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technicians, and managers, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovation while managing budgets and external partnerships.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Food Science, Food Technology, Biochemistry, Microbial Fermentation, or related field.
• Experience: 15+ years in food technology R&D, with 5+ years in senior leadership; proven track record of taking technologies from concept to commercialization.
• Leadership: Demonstrated cross-functional leadership across R&D, Production, QA, and Commercial.
• Languages: Fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the Technical Service roadmap aligned to the strategic themes.
• Build a 1-to-3-year technology roadmap mechanism with PDC based on future innovation needs.
• Ensure new technologies land safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Build scientific frameworks to shorten product development cycles.
• Drive Product Spec 2.0 rollout — from manual to digitizable.
• Partner with PDC to land new technologies into products.
• Work with Production & QA & other departments on all projects.
• Manage OEM partnerships and external collaborations.
• Build diversified technical capability manpower.
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technicians, and managers.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, 'safely-accurately-efficiently' execution, and innovation.
• Manage team budget, lab resources, and external partnerships.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

People leadership

Strategic planning

Education

PhD or Master’s in Food Science/Technology/Biochemistry/Microbial Fermentation

Tools

PS systems

LIMS

ERN systems

Job description

• Own and evolve the Technical Service roadmap aligned to the strategic themes
• Build a 1-to-3-year technology roadmap mechanism with PDC based on future innovation needs
• Ensure new technologies land safely, accurately, and efficiently
• Build scientific frameworks to shorten product development cycles
• Drive Product Spec 2.0 rollout — from manual to digitizable

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with PDC to land new technologies into products
• Work with Production & QA & other departments on all projects
• Manage OEM partnerships and external collaborations

Capability Building & Digital Transformation

• Build diversified technical capability manpower
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technicians, and managers
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, "safely-accurately-efficiently" execution, and innovation
• Manage team budget, lab resources, and external partnerships

Requirements:

• PhD or Master's in Food Science, Food Technology, Biochemistry, Microbial Fermentation, or related field
• Experience: 15+ years in food technology R&D, with 5+ years in senior leadership; proven track record of taking technologies from concept to commercialization
• Leadership: Demonstrated cross-functional leadership across R&D, Production, QA, and Commercial
• Languages: Fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese

Nice to Have:

• Experience with food digitalization (PS, LIMS, ERN systems)
• International / multi-plant R&D setup exposure
• Track record of building scientific frameworks that shorten product development cycle