RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) MANAGER

ITEA BEVERAGE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic tea beverage company in Singapore seeks an R&D Manager to lead product innovation in tea-based beverages. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of R&D experience, a relevant Bachelor's degree, and strong leadership skills. This role requires fluency in Chinese for effective communication with suppliers and adaptability to fast-paced F&B environments. The position may require working weekends and public holidays, emphasizing dedication to product excellence and innovation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of R&D experience in the beverage or food industry.
• Strong market awareness and sensitivity to consumer trends in tea drinks.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced F&B environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new tea-based beverages.
• Track industry trends and consumer insights.
• Collaborate with various teams for product launch.

Skills

R&D experience in beverage industry

Market awareness of tea drinks

Strong leadership skills

Fluent in Chinese

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

About Us

We are a fast-growing tea beverage brand dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality products to the market. With a strong focus on natural ingredients, consumer experience, and product excellence, we are looking for a talented R&D Manager to lead our product innovation and development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new tea-based beverages, including concept creation, formulation, sensory evaluation, and optimization.
• Track industry trends, consumer insights, and emerging ingredients to drive product innovation.
• Oversee pilot testing, shelf-life studies, and quality improvement projects.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality Control, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless product launch.
• Develop and maintain formulation documentation, technical specifications, and regulatory compliance materials.
• Manage R&D team members, project timelines, and department budgets.
• Work with suppliers to evaluate raw materials and introduce new ingredients.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or above is preferred.
• 5+ years of R&D experience in the beverage or food industry; experience in tea beverages or desserts is a strong advantage.
• Strong market awareness and sensitivity to consumer trends, especially in tea drinks and sweet products.
• Solid understanding of formulation, food safety standards, and production processes.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced F&B environment and adapt to industry working hours.
• Willingness to work 6 days per week, including weekends and public holidays when required.
• Excellent communication, creativity, and leadership skills.
• Fluent in Chinese (reading, writing, and speaking) to effectively communicate with Chinese-speaking suppliers and management.
• Existing connections or experience working with suppliers in Mainland China or Taiwan is a strong advantage.