R&D Executive/ Senior Executive (Food Manufacturing)

Agensi Pekerjaan The Supreme HR Advisory Sdn Bhd; Sri Gading; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A Batu Pahat, Johor-based food manufacturing and packaging company is seeking an R&D Executive/Senior Executive to drive new product development, reformulations, and packaging innovations for snacks, dried fruits, nuts, and premixes. The role collaborates with QA, Purchasing and Production to ensure feasibility, regulatory compliance, Halal standards, and scalable processes.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor's degree in Food Science/Tech or related field, with 2–5 years (4–5 for senior) in food

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Food Science/Tech, Food Engineering or Nutrition)
• 2–5 years for R&D Executive; 4–5 years for Senior Executive in food manufacturing
• Hands-on experience in formulation, trials and manufacturing processes
• Experience with snacks, preserved fruits, nuts or related foods preferred
• Knowledge of Halal requirements and food regulatory compliance

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and product improvements across snacks, nuts and premixes
• Plan experiments, formulation trials and sensory evaluations
• Collaborate with Production, QA and Purchasing to ensure feasibility and cost control
• Ensure product quality during scale-up from lab to factory
• Keep up with market trends, test ingredients and supplier samples
• Coordinate with QA for regulatory and labeling compliance
• Prepare development plans, trials and progress updates to management
• Support NPD projects from concept to commercialization
• Provide guidance to junior team members and interns

Skills

Food formulation

Product development

Sensory evaluation

Shelf-life testing

Regulatory knowledge

Halal requirements

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Science

Job description

R&D Executive/ Senior Executive (Food Manufacturing)

Company Overview

Our client is a Malaysian food manufacturing and packaging enterprise is headquartered in Batu Pahat, Johor. The company originally began as a small-scale packaging operation focused on repacking bulk tinned biscuits into smaller consumer portions before evolving into a full-fledged FMCG manufacturer. Today, it holds Halal certification and specializes in producing, contract-packaging, and distributing a wide range of snack foods, dried fruits, toasted nuts, seeds, and 3-in-1 hot beverage premixes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Development & Innovation

Handle new product development and existing product improvement projects, particularly in:

• Preserved fruits
• Nuts and flavored nuts
• Snack repacking products

Review product development requests and assess technical and production feasibility

Plan and conduct product development experiments, formulation trials and sensory evaluations.

Develop and improve product formulations, considering product quality, ingredient availability, cost feasibility, Halal requirements and food regulatory compliance.

Troubleshoot formulation issues and recommend practical solutions.

Proactively suggest new product ideas, flavors and improvements based on market trends and customer needs.

2. Manufacturing & Process Feasibility

Work closely with Production / Packing Department to conduct product trials and first production runs.

Evaluate the suitability of product formulations for existing manufacturing processes and equipment.

Identify potential manufacturing challenges and propose formulation or process improvements.

Assist in ensuring consistent product quality when scaling up from laboratory trials to factory production.

Follow up on trial outcomes and take necessary corrective actions.

3. Market & Business Awareness

Keep abreast of market trends, competitor products and consumer preferences.

Support the development of products that are commercially viable and aligned with company business objectives.

Consider ingredient costs, product quality and manufacturing feasibility when developing formulations.

Identify opportunities for product innovation, cost optimization and improvements to existing product ranges.

Collaborate with Purchasing Department in sourcing and evaluating new ingredients and raw materials.

Conduct ingredient testing and assess supplier samples for product suitability.

Explore alternative ingredients to improve product quality, cost efficiency or supply stability.

Adjust product formulations when ingredient specifications or supply conditions change.

Coordinate and follow up on assigned New Product Development (NPD) projects from initial concept to commercialization.

Prepare development plans, conduct trials and monitor project progress against agreed timelines.

Work closely with Production, QA, Purchasing and other relevant departments to support successful product launches.

Prepare and recommend finalized product formulations for management review and approval before production release.

Identify project issues, propose solutions and elevate significant concerns to management when necessary.

6. Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

Prepare, maintain and update R&D documentation, including:

• Product formulations and recipe cards
• Product development and trial reports
• Product specifications
• Sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing records

Ensure product development activities comply with applicable Malaysian and/or export market food regulations, Halal requirements and company food safety standards.

Work closely with QA to address product quality, regulatory and food safety matters.

7. Packaging & Label Compliance

Support the review of packaging artwork and product labels for compliance with applicable food labelling regulations.

Verify relevant technical information, including ingredient declarations, nutritional information and product claims.

Coordinate with QA and relevant departments to resolve labelling or regulatory concerns.

8. Project Coordination & Reporting

Independently organize and prioritize assigned R&D activities to meet project timelines.

Coordinate NPD discussions and follow up on agreed action items with relevant departments.

Prepare and present regular R&D project updates, development status reports and KPI information to management.

Highlight project challenges and recommend practical solutions.

Participate in management or cross-functional meetings when required.

Provide technical guidance and day-to-day support to R&D Officer, R&D Assistant or interns, where applicable.

Coordinate R&D tasks and monitor progress to ensure timely completion.

Share technical knowledge and good R&D practices with junior team members.

Demonstrate the potential to take on greater team coordination and leadership responsibilities as the department develops.

10. R&D Process & System Improvement

Maintain proper organization of R&D records, samples and development activities.

Identify opportunities to improve R&D workflows, documentation and project tracking.

Propose and implement practical improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency and effectiveness of R&D activities.

Job Requirements

Bachelor Degree in Food Science & Technology / Food Engineering / Nutrition Science or related field. Experience

R&D Executive: Preferably 2–3 years of relevant experience in food manufacturing, food formulation or product development.

R&D Senior Executive: Preferably 4–5 years of relevant experience, with demonstrated ability to independently handle product development projects.

Hands-on experience in food product formulation, product trials and manufacturing processes is preferred.

Experience in snack foods, preserved fruits, nuts, flavored nuts or related food manufacturing industries will be an added advantage.

Candidates with strong technical capabilities, initiative and growth potential will also be considered.

Core Competencies

• Food formulation and product development
• Sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing
• Understanding of food manufacturing processes and production trials
• Basic knowledge of food labelling, regulatory and Halal requirements
• Product troubleshooting and problem-solving

2. Business & Commercial Competencies

• Basic understanding of market trends and consumer preferences
• Awareness of product costing and commercial feasibility
• Ability to evaluate alternative ingredients and formulation improvements
• Practical understanding of manufacturing constraints

3. Coordination & Growth Potential

• Ability to independently manage assigned projects with minimal supervision
• Good planning, organization and time management skills
• Ability to coordinate effectively with different departments
• Initiative and confidence to propose solutions and make recommendations
• Willingness to learn, accept challenges and take on greater responsibilities

4. Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated, proactive and resourceful
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability and responsibility
• Hands-on and willing to be involved in product trials and factory activities
• Good analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Adaptable, eager to learn and open to new challenges
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to product quality