Senior R&D Manager Bakery

Puratos; Parma; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Welfare and benefits package

Training and development opportunities

Exposure to global innovation projects

Career growth opportunities

Dynamic, collaborative environment

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Puratos Italy is seeking a Senior R&D Manager Bakery to lead the local bakery R&D strategy from our Parma headquarters. You will build and mentor a high-performing team and collaborate across Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to drive customer-focused innovation.

You will travel ~70% to visit customers, develop products, and engage with markets, while safeguarding formulas and documentation and advancing digital, data-driven approaches to accelerate innovation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in R&D within the food manufacturing industry.
• Solid knowledge of bakery technologies, ingredients, and product development processes.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing technical teams.
• Strong business acumen with ability to translate priorities into actionable R&D strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the local Bakery R&D strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships and promote co-creation with Key Account Managers.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Bakery R&D team for engagement and growth.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain on projects.
• Identify market trends, ingredients, technologies, and consumer needs to drive innovation.
• Manage the Bakery innovation pipeline with prioritization and timely execution.
• Define and monitor Bakery R&D KPIs and ensure regulatory compliance including BRC.
• Protect formulas and technical documentation; safeguard data integrity and confidentiality.
• Promote digital tools and data-driven decision-making across R&D activities.
• Lead product and technology initiatives to support business growth and customer success.
• Adapt and optimize products for market demands and customer expectations.
• Drive formulation development, recipe optimization, and value engineering.
• Support Operations, QA, and QC during industrialization and scale-up.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to identify best practices and opportunities.
• Deliver outstanding technical support to customers and commercial teams.
• Collaborate with Global and Regional Bakery R&D teams to accelerate innovation.
• Develop partnerships with universities, suppliers, and external networks.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Food Science or related

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to share with you!

Puratos Italy is looking for a Senior R&D Manager Bakery to join our Italian Headquarters in Parma.

We are seeking a passionate, customer-focused, and business-oriented R&D leader who is eager to drive innovation, develop high-performing teams, and create value through cutting-edge bakery solutions.

Your Mission

As a member of the Italian R&D Leadership Team, reporting directly to the R&D Director, you will play a key role in shaping the Bakery innovation strategy, supporting business growth, and strengthening customer partnerships.

By combining strong technical expertise, people leadership, and commercial awareness, you will ensure Puratos continues to be recognized as a trusted innovation partner and market leader in Bakery.

This position requires significant customer and market exposure, with approximately 70% mobility for customer visits, product development activities, and market engagement.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute the local Bakery R&D strategy in line with business objectives and growth ambitions.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, promoting co-creation and innovation projects in collaboration with Key Account Managers.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Bakery R&D team, fostering engagement, performance, and professional growth.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver successful innovation projects.
• Identify emerging market trends, ingredients, technologies, and consumer needs to drive product innovation.
• Manage the Bakery innovation pipeline, ensuring effective prioritization and timely project execution.
• Define, monitor, and continuously improve relevant Bakery R&D KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and certification schemes, including BRC requirements.
• Safeguard the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of product formulas, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Promote the adoption of digital tools, data-driven decision-making, and innovative ways of working across R&D activities.
• Lead Bakery product and technology innovation initiatives that support business growth and customer success.
• Develop, adapt, and optimize products to meet customer expectations and market demands.
• Drive formulation development, recipe optimization, and value engineering projects.
• Support Operations, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control teams during industrialization, scale-up, and continuous improvement activities.
• Conduct local and international benchmarking studies to identify best practices and innovation opportunities.
• Deliver outstanding technical support to customers and commercial teams.
• Strengthen collaboration with Global and Regional Bakery R&D teams to leverage knowledge and accelerate innovation.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with universities, research institutions, suppliers, and external innovation networks.

What We Expect From You

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in R&D roles within the food manufacturing industry.
• Solid knowledge of Bakery technologies, ingredients, and product development processes.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing technical teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate commercial priorities into actionable R&D strategies.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strong communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment.
• Fluent English and Italian.
• Curiosity for digital innovation, including data, automation, and AI, with a desire to leverage technology to improve efficiency and accelerate innovation.

What You Can Expect From Puratos

At Puratos, we recognize and reward talent, leadership, and dedication. For this role, the expected base salary range is €55,000 - €65,000 gross per year, depending on experience, expertise, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, we offer:

• Annual performance bonus.
• Company welfare and benefits package.
• Training and development opportunities through local and international programs.
• Exposure to global innovation projects and international collaboration.
• Career growth opportunities within a rapidly growing multinational organization.
• A dynamic, collaborative, and innovation-driven work environment.
• Flexible working arrangements in line with company policies.

We are committed to creating an environment where people can grow, innovate, and make a meaningful impact. If you are looking for an opportunity to combine technical excellence, leadership, and customer engagement within a global food ingredients company, we would love to hear from you.

Our Mission

At Puratos, we believe that food has extraordinary power in people's lives. As a global leader in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients, we transform innovation and food culture into opportunities for our customers' success.

We continuously improve the way we work by embracing digital innovation, data, automation, and AI to learn, collaborate, and create impact together.

Together, we move the planet forward by creating innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. With more than 11,000 employees in over 85 countries, Puratos combines a pioneering spirit, passion for excellence, and a unique people-centered culture.

At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities.We are more than 10.000 employees in over 80 countries and a consolidated turnover of 3 billion euros (in 2023). Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.