Senior R&D Manager

WEST MALAYAN GROUP Sdn Bhd; Seberang Perai; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Penang is seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead new product development for sauces and other food products. The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years of experience, strong hands-on knowledge, and a solid understanding of food manufacturing regulations. Responsibilities include overseeing product formulations, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and mentoring a small R&D team. This is an opportunity to shape innovative food solutions in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of R&D experience in food manufacturing.
• Strong hands-on experience in sauces, dressings, and related products.
• Good understanding of food additives and preservation methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development for sauces and related food products.
• Conduct product benchmarking and sensory evaluation.
• Manage scale-up from lab trials to production runs.

Skills

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related discipline

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development (NPD) and reformulation projects for sauces, dressings, pastes, seasonings, and related food products
• Conduct product benchmarking, sensory evaluation, and competitive analysis
• Develop and optimise formulations for taste, cost, shelf life, and stability
• Manage scale-up from lab trials to pilot and full production runs
• Work closely with Production, QA/QC, Procurement, and Sales teams to ensure smooth commercialisation
• Ensure compliance with KKM, Halal, HACCP, GMP, and relevant food regulations
• Evaluate and approve raw materials, additives, and flavours from suppliers
• Troubleshoot product quality issues such as separation, colour fading, microbial spoilage, and texture defects
• Maintain proper documentation: formulations, specifications, SOPs, and trial reports
• Lead and mentor R&D executives, contract staff, and interns

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline
• Minimum 5–8 years of R&D experience in food manufacturing
• Strong hands‑on experience in sauces, condiments, dressings, or paste‑based products
• Good understanding of food additives, emulsification, preservation, and shelf‑life studies
• Experience working with Halal requirements and Malaysian food regulations
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills
• Able to manage multiple projects and work under tight timelines
• Experience leading a small R&D team is an advantage