Senior Executive, Product Development

Boustead Plantations Berhad; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agrifood company in Malaysia is seeking an experienced professional to lead product development and enhance existing formulations. This role involves conducting market research to identify trends, collaborating with various teams to ensure product feasibility, and overseeing quality compliance. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree, over 5 years of relevant experience, and strong communication skills in both English and Bahasa Malaysia. This position requires exceptional leadership and the ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in FMCG/Agro-based product formulation and R&D.
• Strong understanding of formulation development, shelf-life testing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new product concepts and improve existing formulations.
• Conduct market research to identify trends and preferences.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure feasibility and cost-effectiveness of product ideas.

Skills

Formulation development

Quality assurance

Leadership

Communication skills

Research and development

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science, Biotechnology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Lead the development of new product concepts and improve existing product formulations to enhance quality, functionality and consumer appeal.

Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, customer preferences and innovation opportunities within the agrifood and wellness sectors.

Collaborate with suppliers, R&D partners and production teams to ensure feasibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of product ideas.

Develop prototype samples, coordinate product testing and oversee quality assurance and compliance with relevant regulations (e.g. MARDI, MOH, SIRIM, HALAL).

Work closely with the Marketing and Sales teams to support branding, packaging design and product positioning strategies.

Prepare technical documentation, product specifications and costing analysis for management approval.

Support business development through participation in exhibitions, promotional campaigns and stakeholder engagement related to new product launches.

Continuously monitor product performance post-launch and recommend improvements where necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Food Science, Biotechnology, Product Development or related field.
• 5+ years of working experience in FMCG/Agro-based product formulation and R&D.
• Strong understanding of formulation development, shelf-life testing and quality assurance.
• Familiarity with food processing equipment, packaging materials and labelling standards.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks (Halal, MESTI, HACCP, etc.).
• Prior experience in plantation or related industries will be an advantage.
• Good presentation preparation and proposal paper writing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Bahasa Malaysia, with strong proofreading and presentation abilities.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to handle sensitive information securely and maintain confidentiality, adhering to privacy and data protection protocols.
• Ability to work independently, proactively and resourcefully, with a pleasant personality.
• Able to work under pressure and capable to meet tight deadlines.