Product Research and Development Manager

Zohorecruit; Calamba; On-site; PHP 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Level Up Talent Solutions in Calamba City, Philippines is seeking an experienced Product Research and Development Manager to lead product innovation and development initiatives from concept to launch. The role oversees research, development, testing, costing, and compliance with food safety and labeling requirements.

The position requires strong technical and analytical expertise, hands-on pilot plant testing, scale-up, shelf-life studies, and collaboration with Marketing, Sales, Operations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, or related field.
• At least 10 years of Product Research & Development experience in a managerial capacity, covering raw materials and packaging materials.
• Certifications or training in Food Safety, HACCP, GMP, and Basic Sensory Evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of product costing and cost optimization.
• Proven experience in pilot plant testing, scale-up, shelf-life studies, and product troubleshooting.
• In-depth knowledge of FDA, local, and international food regulations and labeling laws.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects from concept to launch, including budgets and timelines.
• Strong analytical, technical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong ability to analyze market trends, competitor products, and consumer feedback to drive product innovation.
• Experience working with raw material and packaging material suppliers is highly preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and specialized recipe/BOM management software.
• Strong English communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong leadership and above-average people management skills.
• Creative, proactive, assertive, results-oriented, and open-minded.

Responsibilities

• Lead product R&D projects from conceptualization through product launch.
• Develop and improve products based on market trends and consumer insights.
• Manage raw materials and packaging materials for development and optimization.
• Lead pilot plant testing, scale-up, shelf-life studies, and troubleshooting.
• Review product costing and cost sheets for optimization opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, local, and international labeling regulations.
• Manage multiple projects with budgets and timelines.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Engage suppliers to accelerate development with technical advancements.
• Coordinate an annual Innovation Day with selected suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation of existing and new products.
• Provide guidance and decision support throughout development.

Skills

Leadership

English communication

Project management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Costing knowledge

Pilot plant testing

Shelf-life studies

Packaging/materials knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/ Food Technology/ Chemical Engineering/ Nutrition

Tools

MS Office

BOM management software

Recipe management software

Job description

Product Research and Development Manager

Calamba City, Philippines

At Level Up Talent Solutions, we believe great work starts with feeling supported, trusted, and valued.

We are a people-focused talent company that connects skilled professionals with meaningful long-term opportunities. Our goal is to create an environment where you can do your best work, continue growing, and feel confident in the role you play within a team.

When you join Level Up Talent Solutions , you are not just filling a position. You are becoming part of a community that values clear communication, consistency, and mutual respect. We work closely with you to understand your strengths, your experience, and the type of work environment where you can thrive.

We support our talents through structured onboarding, ongoing guidance, and realistic expectations. You will always know what success looks like and who to turn to when you need support. We believe that when talents feel aligned and empowered, everyone succeeds.

At Level Up Talent Solutions, growth is not only about skills. It is about confidence, stability, and building a career you can be proud of.

We are here to help you level up.

Job Description

Job Description: Level Up is looking for an experienced Product Research and Development Manager who will lead product innovation and development initiatives from concept to launch. The role will oversee the research, development, testing, costing, and improvement of products, raw materials, and packaging materials while ensuring compliance with food safety, regulatory, quality, and labeling requirements.

The position requires strong technical and analytical expertise, hands-on experience in pilot plant testing, scale-up, shelf-life studies, product troubleshooting, and the ability to collaborate effectively with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead product research and development projects from conceptualization through product launch.
• Develop and improve products based on market trends, consumer insights, competitive analysis, and product differentiation opportunities.
• Manage and evaluate raw materials and packaging materials to support product development and optimization.
• Lead pilot plant testing, product scale-up, shelf-life studies, and product troubleshooting activities.
• Review product costing and cost sheets to identify opportunities for cost improvement and optimization.
• Ensure product development activities comply with applicable FDA, local, and international food regulations and labeling requirements.
• Manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously, ensuring agreed budgets and timelines are achieved.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure successful product development and commercialization.
• Work closely with raw material and packaging material suppliers to leverage technical advancements and accelerate product development.
• Establish and coordinate an annual Innovation Day with selected suppliers.
• Lead initiatives focused on continuous improvement and innovation of existing and new products.
• Provide technical guidance, problem-solving, and decision-making support throughout the product development process.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, or a closely related field.
• At least 10 years of Product Research & Development experience in a managerial capacity, covering both raw materials and packaging materials.
• Certifications or training in Food Safety, HACCP, GMP, and Basic Sensory Evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of product costing and cost optimization.
• Proven experience in pilot plant testing, scale-up, shelf-life studies, and product troubleshooting.
• In-depth knowledge of FDA, local, and international food regulations and labeling laws.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects from concept to launch, including budgets and timelines.
• Strong analytical, technical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong ability to analyze market trends, competitor products, and consumer feedback to drive product innovation.
• Experience working with raw material and packaging material suppliers is highly preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and specialized recipe/BOM management software.
• Strong English communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong leadership and above-average people management skills.
• Creative, proactive, assertive, results-oriented, and open-minded.