Quality and Product Development Manager

Experience; Muscat; On-site; OMR 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Experience seeks a senior leader to drive biscuit product development, improving taste, texture, aroma and shelf life while ensuring packaging integrity to meet local and international market requirements.

The role requires advancing quality and food safety systems, supervising R&D/QA teams, and coordinating with production, purchasing and marketing for successful launches.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related field.
• Certifications in food safety or quality management are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a product development strategy in line with company objectives.
• Develop new biscuit recipes and improve existing products for taste, texture, aroma, and shelf life.
• Conduct lab and production tests to ensure top product quality.
• Develop and improve packaging materials and designs to extend shelf life.
• Study market needs and translate them into marketable products.
• Supervise quality and food safety systems within the factory.
• Collaborate with production, purchasing, and marketing to launch new products.
• Review and approve technical specs for raw materials and finished goods.
• Lead continuous improvement programs to reduce waste and boost efficiency.
• Stay updated on trends in biscuit and confectionery industries.

Skills

Leadership

Creativity

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Project management

Analytical thinking

Decision-making

Education

Master's degree in Food Science

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Leading the development and improvement of biscuit products in terms of taste, texture, nutritional value, and packaging, in accordance with the requirements of the local and international market, ensuring the application of the highest standards of quality and food safety, and working on developing new products that enhance the company’s competitiveness.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and implement a product development strategy in line with the company's objectives.
• Developing new biscuit recipes and improving existing products in terms of taste, texture, aroma, and shelf life.
• Conducting laboratory and production tests to achieve the best product quality.
• Developing and improving packaging materials and designs to ensure product quality is maintained and its shelf life is extended.
• Studying the needs of markets and customers and transforming them into new marketable products.
• Supervising the implementation of quality and food safety systems within the factory.
• Collaborating with the production, purchasing, and marketing departments to ensure the successful launch of new products.
• Review and approve the technical specifications for raw materials and finished products.
• Leading continuous improvement programs, reducing waste, and improving production efficiency.
• Keeping up with the latest technologies and global trends in the biscuit and confectionery industry.
• Preparing periodic reports on quality performance and product development and submitting them to senior management.
• Supervising the quality, research and development team and developing their technical skills.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Technology or any related field.
• Professional certifications in: are preferred

Professional certifications

• o ISO 22000
• or HACCP
• o FSSC 22000
• o Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing (additional feature)

Required experience

• At least 12 years of practical experience in biscuit factories, bakeries, or food industries.
• Experience in product development and recipe improvement.
• Experience in developing suitable packaging solutions for food products.
• Experience in sensory evaluation and consumer satisfaction analysis.
• Experience in managing quality, research and development teams.

Technical skills

• Advanced knowledge of food science and food chemistry.
• Expertise in developing flavors and improving taste.
• Familiarity with food packaging materials and product preservation techniques.
• The ability to analyze data and make decisions based on the results.
• Complete knowledge of quality and food safety systems.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office programs and preparing technical reports.

Personal skills

• High leadership and management skills.
• The ability to innovate and be creative.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage projects and meet deadlines.
• Analytical thinking and decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Number of new products developed and launched annually.
• The success rate of new products in the market.
• Improved taste test results and customer satisfaction.
• Reduce quality complaints.
• Reduce the cost of product development without affecting quality.
• Adherence to quality and food safety standards.
• Improve the shelf life of products.
• Speed of implementation of product development projects according to the timeline.

Powers

• Approval of new recipes before commercial production.
• Adoption of technical specifications for raw materials and packaging.
• Discontinue any product that does not meet quality standards.
• Proposal to purchase the equipment or technologies necessary for product development.
• Representing the company in technical meetings related to quality, research and development