RDQ Manager UKIE

UNAVAILABLE; The Municipal District of Naas; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global food company is seeking an RDQ Manager in Ireland to ensure all market activities are executed timely and in compliance with regulations. This role involves managing in-market product quality, tracking complaints, and leading innovative projects. The ideal candidate will have a tech background in the food sector and experience in quality improvement programs. Proficiency in English is required, along with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Must have significant experience in the Food & Drink industry.
• Proficient in English and other business languages for the region.
• Eager to understand consumer behavior.

Responsibilities

• Ensure RDQ Go To Market activities are delivered on time.
• Track product quality and analyze complaints.
• Act as End-to-End Lead for Lift & Launch Projects.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Quality improvement

Education

Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, or Physics

Job description

Overview

PURPOSE & IMPACT:

The role ensures that that all RDQ go to market activities for a particular segment in the Cluster Programme are delivered on time and in full, across all channels (Retail, Private Label, Export, Food Service) whilst also ensuring regulatory compliance at product launch (across artwork, labelling and communication). The RDQ Manager owns in-market product quality, tracking & analysing complaints, driving quality improvement plans and actively participating in the management of local product incidents/issues. The role represents the company with local food regulatory authorities and industry associations, monitoring emerging trends, sharing external best practices with other RDQ teams and championing the company’s nutritional, sensory, and quality differentiation both externally and internally.

We need someone who has a broad technical background, who is equally effective working on R&D and Quality topics, is able to work effectively cross-functionally and to lead response to product issues. They will need to have credibility with Cluster Leadership team and able to represent the company externally as required.

Responsibilities

RDQ Go To Market Execution

• Ensure that all RDQ Go To Market activities for a particular segment in the Cluster Programme are delivered on time and in full, across channels (Retail, Private Label, Export, Food Service) with smooth handover from Segment Teams
• Accountable for regulatory compliance at product launch (across artwork, labelling and communication)
• Support commercial teams with knowledge-based sell-ins and channel engagement
• This role can have delegated authority

Product Quality, Complaints & Incident Management

• Own in-market product quality for a particular segment within the Cluster, tracking & analysing complaints, providing RDQ support on Careline issues/ escalations, especially on sensory/superiority matters
• Actively participate in local product incident management teams
• Work collaboratively with Segment Teams and FSQR Teams on root cause investigations and problem resolution
• Develop and implement quality improvement plans to reduce customer complaints and/or address local product issues/incidents

Lift & Launch and Local Portfolio Projects

• Act as End to End Lead for Lift & Launch Projects for a particular segment within the Cluster, developing and executing the project plan to ensure all RDQ activities are delivered on time, in full, at scale
• Lead end-to-end project delivery for Local Portfolio Projects from concept, through product development to launch and post launch quality monitoring. Ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, quality standards and local product regulatory compliance

RDQ, Superiority and Food Culture advocacy

• Act as an RDQ Advocate for a specific country, representing Nomad Foods to industry bodies and food regulatory authorities in that country
• Share the knowledge from external bodies and emerging local technical trends with RDQ COE, RDQ Segment Teams and SC FSQR Teams
• Champion “Win with Our Food” Values and Food Culture within the Cluster, running local taste panels and product immersion sessions with customers and consumers
• Reinforce our superior health, nutritional, sensory and taste differentials internally and externally

Cluster Pipeline

• Input into Segment Projects to ensure Cluster requirements are covered in the brief and support in project input, tastings and channel execution

Team

• Accountable for the day to day supervision of the team, including setting short term deliverables, provision of guidance and technical advice and the management of any escalated issues/queries
• Input into formal objective setting, performance, development and talent reviews conducted by the Head of Cluster

Qualifications

• Must be qualified to at least degree level in a Technical subject, eg Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Physics
• Significant experience within the Food & Drink industry in a Technical /Quality / Product Development role
• Proficient in English language and business languages for the MU/Region
• Has core capabilities developed to manage WL1s
• Track record of either successful innovation within food or a leading role in food quality management
• Eager to understand and anticipate consumer behaviour
• Experience of either concept development & rapid prototyping or/and delivering Quality Improvement Programmes with suppliers