Research And Development Manager (Confectionery)

Universal Robina Corporation; Quezon City; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Robina Corporation is seeking a Manager, Confectionery COE to lead development, renovation, and optimization of confectionery products across the organization. The role drives category innovation, quality, cost competitiveness, and technical excellence while aligning with business objectives, consumer insights, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.

The role serves as the subject matter expert for confectionery technologies and ingredients, leading a team of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition, or related discipline.
• 7+ years in R&D/product development in confectionery or food manufacturing preferred.
• 3+ years of people leadership managing technical or R&D teams.
• Strong technical expertise in confectionery formulations, ingredients, processing technologies, and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Leads development and execution of confectionery innovation and renovation pipeline.
• Provides technical leadership in confectionery product development, formulation, ingredients, and manufacturing processes.
• Oversees end-to-end product development from concept to commercial launch.
• Drives continuous product and process improvements for quality, cost, and manufacturability.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Regulatory compliance

Food safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Technology or related

Job description

The Manager, Confectionery COE leads the development, renovation, and optimization of confectionery products across the organization. The role is responsible for driving category innovation, product quality, cost competitiveness, and technical excellence while ensuring alignment with business objectives, consumer insights, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.

The role serves as the subject matter expert for confectionery technologies and ingredients, leading a team of scientists in delivering innovation projects, productivity initiatives, quality improvements, and technical solutions from concept development through commercialization.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Leads the development and execution of the confectionery innovation and renovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with category growth strategies and business priorities.
• Provides technical leadership in confectionery product development, formulation, ingredient technologies, and manufacturing processes across all confectionery product segments.
• Oversees the end-to-end product development process from concept creation, laboratory development, pilot trials, plant validation, and commercial launch.
• Drives continuous product and process improvements to enhance quality, consumer satisfaction, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness.
• Partners closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to deliver successful innovation and renovation projects.
• Leads technical evaluation and selection of ingredients, technologies, suppliers, and manufacturing solutions to support category requirements.
• Identifies and evaluates emerging industry trends, consumer insights, ingredient innovations, and new technologies relevant to the confectionery category.
• Provides technical guidance and coaching to scientists within the Confectionery COE to strengthen organizational capability and expertise.
• Ensures compliance with applicable food safety, quality, regulatory, and sustainability standards throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Leads root cause analysis and resolution of product quality, process, and commercialization issues related to confectionery products.
• Manages project timelines, resources, risks, and stakeholder alignment to ensure the timely delivery of innovation and business objectives.
• Establishes and maintains technical documentation, product specifications, formulation standards, and knowledge repositories for the confectionery category.
• Supports productivity and value engineering initiatives through recipe optimization, alternative ingredient evaluation, and process improvements.
• Consolidates and presents technical updates, project progress reports, innovation pipeline status, and category performance insights to management.
• Builds and maintains external networks with suppliers, research institutions, and industry partners to advance confectionery capability and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition, or other related disciplines.
• At least 8-10 years of experience in Research & Development, Product Development, or Food Innovation, preferably within the confectionery, snacks, or food manufacturing industry.
• At least 3-5 years of people leadership experience managing technical or R&D teams.
• Strong technical expertise in confectionery formulations, ingredients, processing technologies, and commercialization.
• Proven track record in managing innovation, renovation, productivity, and quality improvement projects.
• Strong project management, stakeholder management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Working knowledge of food safety systems, quality standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to food manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Experience working with multi‑functional and multi‑site teams is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop technical talent while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.