R&D Manager

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead the development of coffee, tea and food offerings for Malaysia, Singapore and APAC markets. You will own the innovation pipeline, localise recipes, and ensure alignment with our global brand while collaborating with Operations, Purchasing, Marketing and Quality Assurance.

You will drive product trials, costing, and menu improvements, support new outlet openings and ensure quality, compliance, and profitability across all

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field is required or highly preferred.
• Experience in F&B R&D, product development and multi-outlet operations is essential.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, halal requirements and food safety standards is expected.
• Comfort with food costing, profitability analytics and data-informed decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D for new food and beverage products from concept to rollout.
• Develop and standardise recipes, formulations and product specs.
• Localise menus for Malaysian tastes while maintaining global brand identity.
• Conduct trials, tastings and evaluations for quality and feasibility.
• Train outlets on new products and support new openings.
• Ensure quality, compliance and cost control across outlets.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects with Operations, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain.
• Prepare regular progress and performance reports.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Professional culinary certification (a plus)

Job description

Since opening our first store in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has grown into a global specialty coffee and tea brand with more than 1,000 cafés worldwide, supported by our Global Headquarters in Singapore.

Our purpose is to help people Find Their Flavor through uplifting experiences that make their day better. Guided by our vision to deliver "Simply the Best" coffee and tea experience in every community we serve, we're committed to creating meaningful experiences for our guests, partners, and one another.

As part of our Brew Crew, you’ll find an environment where you can be your best, belong and grow.

This is where you Find Your Flavor.

Our Brew Crew is seeking Our Global Brew Crew is looking for a dynamic R&D Manager to lead our next generation of coffee, tea and speciality drinks across Malaysia, Singapore and our APAC franchise markets.

As R&D Manager, you will own CBTL Malaysia’s product innovation pipeline, from first concept through outlet rollout. You will develop and standardise new coffee, tea and if required, food offerings, localise them for Malaysian tastes while staying true to our global brand. You will report to the General Manager of Business Development and partner closely with Operations, Purchasing, Marketing and Quality Assurance.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the research, development and launch of new food and beverage products.
• Create innovative menu offerings based on market trends, customer preferences and company objectives.
• Develop and standardise recipes, preparation methods and product specifications.
• Conduct product trials, tastings, and evaluations to ensure quality and feasibility.
• Adapt and localise menu offerings to suit Malaysian market preferences while maintaining CBTL’s brand identity.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities and emerging consumer preferences

Menu Management & Improvement

• Review and improve existing menu items to enhance quality, taste, presentation and profitability.
• Analyse product performance and recommend menu optimisation strategies.
• Ensure consistency of products across all outlets through standardised operating procedures and recipe manuals.

Cost Control & Profitability

• Conduct food cost analysis and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.
• Work closely with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to source suitable ingredients and suppliers.
• Ensure product development aligns with target food cost and profit margin requirements.
• Monitor ingredient pricing trends and recommend alternatives when necessary.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all products comply with food safety regulations and company quality standards.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Operations teams to maintain product consistency.
• Support compliance with local regulatory requirements, including halal considerations where applicable.
• Develop product specifications and quality control guidelines.

Training & Operational Support

• Train outlet teams on new product preparation, recipe standards and implementation procedures.
• Support new outlet openings and menu rollouts.
• Prepare product manuals, training materials and operational guidelines.
• Work closely with Operations teams to ensure successful execution of new products.

Leadership & Project Management

• Act as the key coordination point between HQ R&D and individual outlet teams to ensure consistent product quality and operational execution across all stores.
• Plan and manage product development timelines and project milestones.
• Guide leaders during the rollout of new menu items, ensuring proper training, understanding, and execution at outlet level.
• Monitor and support outlet performance in relation to product quality, consistency and adherence to R&D standards.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects involving Operations, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain departments.
• Provide on-site support and hands-on guidance during product launches and menu implementation at outlet level.
• Prepare regular reports on R&D progress, product performance and outlet execution feedback.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Hospitality Management or a related field; a professional culinary certification is a plus.
• 2–5+ years in F&B Research & Development, Product Development, Central Kitchen or Culinary Innovation, including 3+ years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Experience in multi-outlet restaurant chains or F&B retail is highly preferred; coffee, tea or speciality beverage experience is an advantage.
• Strong grasp of recipe formulation, menu engineering, food safety standards (HACCP, GMP) and halal certification requirements.
• Comfortable with food costing and profitability analysis, and confident making data-informed product decisions.
• You embrace AI tools to enhance research, data analysis, reporting and innovation, and are comfortable adopting new technologies.
• You’re passionate about coffee, tea and food, and genuinely energised by creating experiences that delight our guests.

Performance & Rewards

At The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, we embrace a high-performance culture that rewards and encourages our values of teamwork, ownership, and respect for one another.