Senior Executive, Product Development

SD Guthrie International; Selangor; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SD Guthrie International is seeking a dynamic Food Technology professional to provide technical expertise and application support across Southeast Asia, Greater China, and local markets. You will drive product development and customer engagements to strengthen relationships and grow the business.

You should have 3–5 years in food product development or related roles, a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and willingness to travel extensively to support customers and pilot trials.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in food product development or related technical roles.
• Experience in customer-facing technical support and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in fats and oils, bakery, confectionery, dairy, foodservice, or related food applications is preferred.
• Ability to travel extensively within Southeast Asia, Greater China, and other assigned markets to support customer visits and trials.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and application support to customers, distributors, and commercial teams across Southeast Asia, Greater China, and local markets.
• Lead product development and application projects involving fat and oils solutions for food applications, including blending and pilot trials.
• Manage customer development projects from opportunity identification through commercialization, collaborating with customers and internal teams.
• Organize and participate in customer engagement activities, industry exhibitions, seminars, training programs, and co-creation workshops.
• Prepare and maintain technical reports, product specifications, data sheets, application guides, ensuring regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Food science

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

English proficiency

Mandarin (advantage)

Customer engagement

Presentation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology / Food Science / Food Engineering / Nutrition

Master’s Degree

Job description

We value our people and encourage everyone to grow professionally. If you think this opportunity is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Job Description:

Job Description

• Provide technical expertise and application support to customers, distributors, and commercial teams across Southeast Asia, Greater China, and local markets. Support customer projects, product testing, technical communication, plant trials, and customer engagement activities to drive business growth and strengthen customer relationships.
• Lead product development and application projects involving fat and oils solutions for food applications. Conduct blending trials, pilot trials, and industrial validations to develop innovative products that meet customer requirements, market trends, and business objectives.
• Manage customer development projects from opportunity identification through commercialization, working closely with customers, Commercial, Refinery, and R&D teams to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions that support customer growth and business expansion.
• Organize and participate in customer engagement activities, industry exhibitions, technical seminars, training programs, product showcases, and co-creation workshops. Collaborate closely with Commercial, Marketing, and Business Development teams to promote SD Guthrie’s product portfolio, identify new business opportunities, generate leads, and strengthen customer partnerships.
• Prepare and maintain technical reports, product specifications, technical data sheets, application guides, and other relevant documentation. Ensure products comply with regulatory requirements and customer specifications within the assigned markets.
• Work collaboratively with internal technical teams and cross-functional stakeholders, including Commercial, Marketing, Quality, and Refinery to ensure the successful development, validation, commercialization, and implementation of customer-focused solutions.

Education & Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, or a related discipline.
• Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
• 3-5 years of experience in food product development, technical service, food applications, customer solutions, or related technical roles within the food industry
• Experience in customer-facing technical support, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in fats and oils, bakery, confectionery, dairy, foodservice, or related food applications is preferred.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of food science, food processing, fats and oils functionality, and ingredient applications.
• Good problem-solving, project management, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a cross-functional and multicultural environment.
• Strong customer engagement and presentation skills with the ability to build and maintain customer relationships.
• Proficient in English. Ability to read, write and communicate in Mandarin is an added advantage.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel extensively within Southeast Asia, Greater China, and other assigned markets to support customer visits, plant trials, exhibitions, technical seminars, customer co-creation activities, and business development initiatives.