R&D Program Lead - Cross-Functional Innovation

Kinisla Group; Charleville; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Matched pension 10%

Benefits platform

Employee Assistance Policy

Job summary

Kinisla is seeking an experienced R&D Project Manager to lead the design, development and scale-up of dairy-focused products and processes. You will coordinate cross-functional teams across R&D, Operations, Quality and Commercial to translate ideas into scalable solutions with clear milestones and governance.

You will drive project plans, manage risks and stakeholders, ensuring rigorous handovers and successful commercialisation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional projects in food/FMCG/manufacturing.
• A recognised project management qualification (PMP/PRINCE2) or equivalent.
• Strong track record delivering multi-workstream projects with competing priorities.
• Excellent planning, governance, risk management and financial awareness.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex info into actions.
• Strong communication and relationship-building across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Structured, pragmatic approach with resilience to changing environments.
• Experience in R&D, new product development, scale-up or product commercialisation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple strategic R&D and innovation projects from initiation to completion.
• Build integrated project plans covering resources, budgets, risks, dependencies, milestones.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Commercial, Finance and external partners.
• Facilitate governance meetings and provide concise reporting to stakeholders.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation actions with clear recommendations.
• Manage scope, timing and resources through disciplined assessment and decisions.
• Ensure project documentation supports handover, scale-up and commercialisation.
• Embed consistent tools, standards and ways of working across the portfolio.
• Build trusted relationships and foster accountability, collaboration and constructive challenge.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Financial awareness

R&D/NP development

Education

PM qualification (PMP/PRINCE2)

Job description

Kinisla is seeking an experienced R&D Project Manager to lead the design, development and scale-up of dairy-focused products and processes. You will coordinate cross-functional teams across R&D, Operations, Quality and Commercial to translate ideas into scalable solutions with clear milestones and governance.

You will drive project plans, manage risks and stakeholders, ensuring rigorous handovers and successful commercialisation.