RD&A Category Technologist

Kerry Group; Shah Alam; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry Group is seeking an RD&A Category Technologist to own the technical management and governance of a specified ROH category across APAC, MEA and Africa. You will collaborate with RD&A, Procurement, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain to support innovation and business continuity.

Lead technical reviews, standardize specifications, and drive continuous improvement across the ROH portfolio while coordinating with global and regional initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in food industry or related field is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, stakeholder management, and conflict management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives.
• Flexible and resilient and adaptable in a dynamic business environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical management and governance of a specified raw material (ROH) category throughout its lifecycle.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders to provide technical expertise and support.
• Manage the ROH lifecycle, including code creation, extension and blocking approvals in MDG.
• Standardize and harmonize raw material specifications and codes.
• Provide technical support for Kerry internal specifications and documentation for Food Safety Assessments.
• Conduct technical reviews of raw materials for new business acquisitions and product transfers.
• Support RD&A in delivering project requirements from concept through commercialization.
• Drive supplier collaboration opportunities in partnership with Procurement and RD&A.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Conflict management

Continuous improvement

Change management

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

As a RD&A Category Technologist you will own the technical management and governance of a specified raw material (ROH) category throughout its lifecycle. Collaborate with external suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders, including RD&A, Procurement, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain, to provide technical expertise, resolve material-related challenges, and support innovation and business continuity. Leverage food science knowledge, strategic thinking, and strong stakeholder engagement skills to manage a regional ROH portfolio across Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), while contributing to selected global category initiatives.

• Reporting to: Category Technologist Manager, APMEA

Key responsibilities

• Manage the ROH lifecycle, including code creation, extension and blocking approvals in MDG, reviewof related technical documentation, and governance of associated processes.
• Support the standardization and harmonization of raw material specifications and codes.
• Provide technical support for Kerry internal specifications and assist in gathering documentation required for

Food Safety Risk Assessments (FSA).

• Conduct technical reviews of raw materials for new business acquisitions and finished product transfers between manufacturing sites.
• Support the RD&A function in delivering project requirements from concept through commercialization, including optimization and troubleshooting activities:
• Provide technical consultation to RDA teams on RM functionality, specifications, suppliercapabilities and alternative sourcing options.
• Manage technical relationships with suppliers and support RDA engagement for maintenanceprojects, reformulations and new sourcing initiatives.
• Drive supplier collaboration opportunities in partnership with Procurement and RDA through technical, innovation and capability presentations.
• Manage ROH pack size changes and coordinate implementation with site operations and supply chainto ensure effective depletion of existing inventory.
• Coordinate raw material sample requests and shipments between external suppliers and Kerry RD&Ateams to support product development, evaluation, and validation activities.

Profit Improvement Project (PIP)

• Lead the technical assessment and approval of Profit Improvement Programs (PIPs) within assigned raw material categories, working closely with Category Buyers to identify and implement cost optimization opportunities, including opportunistic purchasing strategies.
• Manage end-to-end PIP execution and maintain timely progress reporting in SFDC while ensuringalignment with key stakeholders.
• Perform raw material evaluations and coordinate cross-functional trial activities to validate technicalfeasibility and support implementation decisions.

Operational Excellence

• Provide technical guidance and support to cross-functional stakeholders on ROH quality and processmatters.
• Collaboration with Supply Chain, Procurement and RD&A to optimize ROH inventory utilization andassess alternative materials or substitutions to ensure continuity of supply.

Raw Materials Governance

• Own and govern the ROH Library within assigned category, and maintain accountabilities for alltechnical aspects of the ROH portfolio.
• Manage building block and Food Safety Assessment (FSA) activities for the ROH category, ensuringadherence to internal governance.
• Support and drive the technical execution of global and regional category code transformation projects.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientificdiscipline.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in food industry or related field is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, stakeholder management, and conflict management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives.
• Flexible and resilient and adaptable in a dynamic business environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.