R&D Manager - Dairy Innovation

Quorum Search Partners; Ulster; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Quorum Search Partners is partnering with a well-established dairy business to appoint two R&D Managers who will shape the next phase of innovation across the portfolio. You will lead projects from concept through formulation, pilot trials, scale-up and commercial launch, working with Operations, Commercial, Quality, Applications and Process Technology teams.

The role requires a strong dairy or food ingredients background, with expertise in product functionality, processing, and customer

Qualifications

• Senior R&D/NPD professional with dairy or food ingredients experience.
• Background in butter, cream, dairy fats or related products.
• Strong track record of delivering innovation.
• Experience with process optimisation and scale-up.
• Qualification in Food Science or related discipline expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects from concept through to commercial launch.
• Collaborate with Operations, Commercial, Quality and Applications teams.
• Drive pilot trials, scale-up, and product optimisation.
• Support customer-led innovation and application development.

Skills

R&D leadership

NPD expertise

Dairy processing

Pilot plant scale-up

Customer applications

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related

Job description

Hybrid: 3 days on-site / 2 days from home

Quorum Search Partners is delighted to be partnering with a well-established, highly regarded dairy business as it invests significantly in its R&D and innovation capability.

As part of this growth, we're recruiting two R&D Managers to help shape the next phase of innovation across the business. These senior, high-impact roles have real scope to lead product and process development, support customer-led innovation, and build capability in higher-value, technically advanced dairy products and ingredients.

The opportunity

You'll lead R&D projects from concept through formulation, pilot trials, scale-up, and commercial launch, working closely with Operations, Commercial, Quality, Applications, Process Technology, and customer teams.

What we're looking for

Experienced R&D, NPD, or technical professionals with a background in one or more of:

• Butter, cream, dairy fats or related dairy products
• Dairy ingredients, proteins or nutritional ingredients
• Ingredient functionality and formulation
• Dairy processing and process optimisation
• Pilot plant trials and scale-up
• Customer applications and technical problem-solving

A relevant qualification in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Engineering, or a related discipline is expected, along with a strong track record of delivering innovation in dairy or food ingredients.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a particularly exciting time to join. The business is investing in new R&D capability and moving further into international markets.

An attractive package is on offer, along with the hybrid working model above. Relocation support will also be considered for the right candidate.

If you have strong dairy R&D experience and would like to play a meaningful role in the next phase of innovation within an international dairy business, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.