Divisional Product Development Manager

Almarai - المراعي; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Almarai - المراعي in Riyadh is seeking a Divisional Product Development Manager (Premier Chef) to lead end-to-end development of new products and enhance existing lines, ensuring quality, innovation and commercial success.

You will drive concepts to commercialization, create innovative formulations, explore ingredients and technologies, and ensure safety and compliance while collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Sales and Marketing to bring concepts to market efficiently.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Meat Science, Animal Science, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Additional certifications in HACCP or quality systems are advantageous.
• At least 15 years progressive experience in product development within processed meat / protein industry.
• Strong mastery of protein science, processing, marination, ingredient functionality, and added-value meat products formulation.
• Technical proficiency across multiple product categories and complex production environments.
• Proven experience applying scientific research principles, conducting data analysis, and solving technical challenges.
• Demonstrated success launching new meat / protein products and bringing concepts to market.
• Familiarity with food industry regulations and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of new products and enhance existing lines to deliver quality, innovation and commercial success.
• Drive product development from concept to commercialization with strong project management.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Planning, Sales and Marketing to bring concepts to market efficiently.

Skills

Meat science

Product development

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Divisional Product Development Manager (Premier Chef) | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Founded in 1977, Almarai Company is the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company and the largest food and beverage manufacturing and distribution company in MENA. Headquartered in Riyadh, Almarai Company is ranked as the number one FMCG Brand in the MENA region and the market leader in all its categories across GCC, Egypt, and Jordan.

Over five decades of sustainable growth, Almarai has consistently provided nutritious and healthy products to consumers of all ages, driven by its core principle: “Quality you can trust.”

Almarai has expanded its product range to include, in addition to dairy products, juices and beverages, baked goods, poultry, infant formula, dates, fish and seafood, and bottled water, under more than 20 brands such as Almarai, L’usine, 7DAYS, ALYOUM, Nuralac, Farm’s Select, Ice Leaf, Almira, Seama, Oska, IVAL, Almarai Pro, Premier Chef, Bakemart, and others.

Almarai currently employs over 46,000 Quality Makers, across the GCC, Egypt & Jordan. In 2025, Almarai reported net income of SAR 2.4 billion on sales of SAR 22 billion.

An aggressive expansion program together with acquisitions in new vertical markets have created an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic multinational team dedicated to furthering growth plans for the group.

The Opportunity

The Divisional Product Development Manager (Premier Chef) will lead the end‑to‑end development of new products and the enhancement of existing lines. You will ensure projects are executed to the highest standards — delivering quality, innovation, and commercial success.

Successful candidate will be responsible for driving new product development from concept to commercialization. You will create innovative formulations, explore new ingredients and technologies, and ensure that every product meets Almarai’s standards of quality, safety, and excellence.

You will collaborate cross‑functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Planning, Sales, Marketing and other key teams to bring new product concepts to market efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Meat Science, Animal Science, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Additional certifications in HACCP or quality systems are advantageous
• At least 15 years progressive experience in product development within processed meat / protein industry
• Strong mastery of protein science, processing, marination, ingredient functionality, and added‑value meat products formulation.
• Technical proficiency across multiple product categories and complex production environments.
• Proven experience applying scientific research principles, conducting data analysis, and solving technical challenges.
• Demonstrated success launching new meat / protein products and bringing concepts to market.
• Familiarity with food industry regulations and compliance requirements.