R&D Laboratory Manager

PT Mars Symbioscience Indonesia; Makassar; On-site; IDR 200.000.000 - 300.000.000; Full time

Job summary

A global food and beverage corporation in Makassar seeks an R&D Laboratory Manager to oversee laboratory operations, ensuring on-time testing and adherence to safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in a relevant field and at least 3 years of experience in analytical testing, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and a drive for results. This role involves promoting a culture of quality and continuous improvement across the R&D department.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in analytical testing, food technology, or quality and food safety.
• Good command of English: both spoken and written.
• Essential knowledge of Good Lab Practice or other lab standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage laboratory operations ensuring quality testing and budget adherence.
• Drive continuous improvement and maintain laboratory governance.
• Promote a safe and efficient working environment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s in Analytical Chemistry or related field

Tools

ISO 17025

Job description

R&D Laboratory Manager will be accountable for managing microbiological, chemical, and bean laboratories’ operations, governance and performance to support across all Mars Indonesia R&D. The position is an enabler of the Mars Cocoa Indonesia Strategy through support to supply, sourcing and cocoa Science & Technology/S&T operations.

Partnering with local and global R&D teams as well as Commercial and Supply teams to deliver business objectives. This position will collaborate extensively with Mars Global Services Laboratories and Global S&T for deployment of Mars lab governance and cocoa analytical testing, in addition to leading and developing a functionally experienced laboratory team and drive laboratory health performance to protect business risk and our consumers.

This position is a member of the Makassar R&D Leadership Team, driving performance culture, cross functional collaboration, associate development and engagement across R&D.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for motivating and developing talent while inspiring and driving team engagement.
• Management of laboratory operations: on-time testing with the appropriate scientific rigor and quality, budget management, asset health and required capital investment.
• Maintain and promote a safe and efficient working environment through adherence to Mars Inc. safety rules or OHS standards that apply in Indonesia.
• Maintain laboratory governance aligned with Mars Global Standard and Q&FS requirements (both Global and Regional) as well as relevant Mars Standards. Governance includes but not limited to operational KPIs and laboratory performance reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory function to deliver efficiency in operations, operational budget management, data quality, traceability and its translation into insights, as well as digital solutions to drive efficiencies.
• Promote Quality Culture within the lab and across all R&D functions.
• Deployment of new laboratory technologies and research methods to ensure quality and efficiency of operations.
• Support cocoa bean inventory management and liquor recipe blends within approved protocols for Makassar factory in partnership with sourcing.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Analytical Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Biochemistry, Food technology, or equivalent technical field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in analytical testing, food technology or quality and food safety.
• Good interpersonal and influencing skills
• Good command of English: both spoken and written.

Knowledge / Experience

• 3+ years of experience in laboratory testing and/or quality management.
• As a minimum, essential level knowledge of Good Lab Practice or other lab standards, for example ISO 17025.
• Digital savvy and able to analyze data and draw insight, including statistics and data management.
• Proven track record of problem-solving ability using scientific knowledge & principles.
• Drive for results
• Directs work
• Manages conflict

Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Performance evaluation & continuous improvement