R&D Programme Lead: Start-up Production & Innovation

Morgan McKinley; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley is seeking a Senior Research & Innovation (R&I) Programme Manager for a fixed-term contract ending 2029, based in Ireland. The role blends high‑impact technical leadership with end‑to‑end programme delivery across R&I, process, packaging and production teams, focusing on new production line start-ups and capacity programmes.

You will translate technical requirements into executable plans, align stakeholders across a matrix organisation, manage governance, risk and milestones, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in R&I technical project or programme management within FMCG, food, pharma, manufacturing or a comparable environment.
• Strong track record leading complex, multi-year, cross-functional programmes through to operational deployment.
• Experience working in a matrix organisation and influencing senior stakeholders across technical and operational functions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to create alignment and drive decisions.
• Strong programme management capability, including planning, governance, risk management, dependencies and delivery.
• Good understanding of quality and food safety requirements, together with experience of qualification and validation processes.
• Experience with aseptic processing and packaging line start-ups would be highly valuable.
• Liquid product/process experience is strongly preferred.
• PMP or equivalent programme/project management certification is desirable.
• Comfortable travelling up to 25% to other European sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&I activities across complex, cross-functional capacity and manufacturing programmes, acting as the central point of contact.
• Translate strategy and technical requirements into robust programme plans, milestones, deliverables and governance.
• Work closely with product, process and packaging teams to ensure R&I requirements are integrated and delivered effectively.
• Coordinate matrix teams, creating clarity around roles, priorities, dependencies and accountabilities.
• Track programme progress, resources, risks and milestones, proactively resolving issues and escalating decisions where needed.
• Identify conflicts, opportunities and interdependencies across projects and drive timely resolution.
• Represent R&I in senior governance forums and provide clear, concise communication on progress, risks and key decisions.
• Balance pace, quality, technical robustness and risk when making decisions in complex and uncertain environments.
• Support successful start-up and deployment of new production capability, ensuring R&I objectives are delivered on time and to the required standard.

Skills

R&I project management

Stakeholder management

Programme governance

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

Morgan McKinley is seeking a Senior Research & Innovation (R&I) Programme Manager for a fixed-term contract ending 2029, based in Ireland. The role blends high‑impact technical leadership with end‑to‑end programme delivery across R&I, process, packaging and production teams, focusing on new production line start-ups and capacity programmes.

You will translate technical requirements into executable plans, align stakeholders across a matrix organisation, manage governance, risk and milestones, and