R&D Manager

Kawan Food Manufacturing Sdn Bhd; Selangor; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading frozen food manufacturer in Malaysia seeks a skilled R&D Manager to innovate and manage product development processes. The role involves overseeing R&D projects, enhancing existing products, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Ideal candidates should have a degree in Food Science or Culinary Arts, with at least 5 years of relevant experience. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and project management skills are essential. Benefits include medical and sports perks, along with insurance coverage.

Benefits

Medical

Sports (e.g. Gym)

Parking

Hospitalization and Group Personal Accident Insurance

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly.

Responsibilities

• Innovate and commercialize a portfolio of projects in R&D.
• Maintain and enhance existing products with new quality initiatives.
• Drive process improvements for operational efficiency.

Skills

Excellent communication

Strategic thinking

Project management

Creativity

Public speaking

Resilience

Education

Degree in Food Science / Technology or Culinary Arts

Job description

This role is to assist the Head of R&D on management of R&D Projects and daily operations. It involves developing and innovating products for the group to stay ahead of competitors by ensuring strict compliance with food safety and quality standards. The role evaluates current and alternative food ingredients, creates product recipes, improves processes, and conducts sensory evaluation of new food products to meet customer needs and requirements. It also participates on cross‑functional teams to resolve technical issues and support product innovation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To innovate and commercialize a portfolio of projects under Kawan Food and multiple product technologies in accordance with business targets and processes.
• To maintain/enhance existing products on a global basis and put forward new quality assurance initiatives.
• To drive process improvements in all aspects of operation related to R&D to heighten efficiency, process and finished product quality.
• Responsible for ingredient sourcing/evaluation, conducting plant trials, initial production runs, internal sensory evaluation of products and final product implementation.
• To assist for ongoing maintenance of recipes/formulations, methodologies and specifications.
• Support the superior to build an effective R&D team with a diversified structure to constantly innovate new and / or existing products and process technology.
• To keep abreast of emerging market trends and technology advancement, selection of new ingredients and product design.
• To maintain/work closely with key suppliers, developing business relationships where appropriate.
• To improve and evaluate product ingredients, processes, systems to ensure that they are applicable and competitive.
• To drive alternative raw material initiatives to ensure continuous supply.
• Provide information to assist Head of R&D in presenting technical concerns / concepts to the management team.
• Lead team to develop and implement new product development (NPD) procedures and guidelines from product concept stage until product is successfully commercialized, as well as study production feasibility and validate concept feasibility before commercialization.
• To coordinate factory manufacturing trials prior to commercialization run.
• To carry out other duties and tasks as directed by the Management in line with competencies and activities associated with any of the above processes.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate must possess at least a degree or higher, preferably in Food Science / Technology, Culinary Arts and related courses.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role is required.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), public speaking skills, and ability to maintain positive relationships with internal or external parties.
• Must have resilience and strong influencing skills. Strategic thinking in making crucial decisions in high-pressure situations, choosing the next course of action through critical thinking and holistic analysis.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly with a good attitude.
• Excellent project management skills to oversee multiple projects that are large in scope.
• Creative and innovative.

Perks and Benefits

• Medical
• Sports (e.g. Gym)
• Parking
• Hospitalization and Group Personal Accident Insurance

Kawan Food Berhad is one of Malaysia's leading exporters and largest manufacturers of frozen Asian food delicacies. The company is committed to providing consumers with authentic, safe and high‑quality products at affordable prices while making a difference for shareholders, partners, employees and the community. Its market leadership is sustained by a commitment to excellence, innovation, reliability, growth, fairness and good citizenship.