Regional Technical Manager, APAC, Savoury Food Ingredients

Vallée Executive Search; Singapore; On-site; SGD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vallée Executive Search on behalf of an international savory food ingredients company seeks a Technical Manager to drive APAC product innovation and growth. You will lead a team of food technologists and partner with commercial teams and distributors across the region.

Responsibilities include developing R&D strategy, steering new product concepts from formulation to scale‑up, launching products end‑to‑end, and ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in food R&D or application development.
• Proven experience on QSR and ready meals projects.
• 3+ years managing a team of food technologists or scientists.
• Business fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute R&D strategies to drive APAC product innovation.
• Lead cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and develop new product concepts with market studies.
• Lead launches end to end, from formulation development to scale-up production.
• Provide technical support and product knowledge to distributors and commercial teams across APAC.
• Lead and mentor a team of food technologists, fostering innovation and collaboration.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory standards, quality assurance protocols and food safety requirements.

Skills

R&D leadership

Team leadership

Customer orientation

APAC market knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Master's/PhD advantageous

Job description

On behalf of an international savory food ingredients company, which established its Research & Development center in Singapore in the 2000s, we are seeking a Technical Manager to drive product innovation and growth across the APAC market.

The successful candidate will lead a team of food technologists, combining R&D leadership with hands‑on support to commercial teams and distributors across the region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• R&D Strategy: Develop and execute R&D strategies to drive product innovation and expansion in APAC, informed by market trends, competitor activity and regulatory changes.
• Product Development: Work with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and develop new product concepts, validated through market and consumer studies.
• Product Launches: Lead launches end to end, from formulation development and sensory evaluation to scale‑up production.
• Technical Support: Train distributors and provide technical support and product knowledge across the region.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of food technologists, fostering innovation and collaboration.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to regulatory standards, quality assurance protocols and food safety requirements.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in food R&D or application development, ideally within a food ingredients company.
• Project Exposure: Proven experience on both QSR and ready meals projects.
• Leadership: At least 3 years managing a team of food technologists or scientists.
• Core Capabilities: Proven track record in formulation, sensory evaluation, scale‑up and product launches.
• Market Knowledge: Good understanding of APAC consumer trends and food regulations.
• Profile: Innovative, customer‑oriented and comfortable supporting commercial teams and distributors.
• Education: Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related field; a Master’s or PhD is an advantage.
• Languages: Business fluency in English is required.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.