Global Baby Care R&D Group Lead

Hayat; Başiskele; On-site; TRY 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Hayat, a leading FMCG player, is seeking a Baby Care Applied R&D Group Manager to drive innovative product development from concept to launch at its Kocaeli HQ. You will lead large-scale R&D programs, collaborate with international teams, and shape global hygiene-related technology strategies.

Based in Kocaeli or willing to relocate, you will manage cross-functional stakeholders, travel as needed, and mentor a high-performance team to deliver quality, compliant products across regions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field is required.
• 15+ years of R&D and product development experience in baby diaper, personal care, or hygiene industry.
• Strong track record leading R&D projects in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and crisis management abilities.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across functions with strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Proactive, self-motivated, accountable with ownership mindset.
• Excellent planning, prioritization, organization, and execution skills.
• Adaptable, resilient, able to manage changing priorities in a dynamic corporate environment.
• Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, learning, and new technologies.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Based in Kocaeli or willing to relocate to Kocaeli.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee R&D and new product development projects from concept to implementation, ensuring alignment with business, technical, quality, and regional market requirements.
• Conduct regular visits to international subsidiaries and affiliates to monitor R&D projects, review progress, identify potential risks and opportunities, and ensure successful implementation of projects.
• Contribute to and provide technical leadership in product development and innovation projects, supporting the identification and implementation of new technologies, materials, and solutions.
• Establish effective collaboration with cross-functional and international teams, ensuring alignment among R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Procurement, and other relevant functions.
• Monitor project timelines, resources, deliverables, and key milestones, taking appropriate actions to manage risks, resolve issues, and ensure timely delivery of results.
• Develop team capabilities by setting clear objectives, providing regular feedback, supporting individual development, and fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and innovation-driven team culture.
• Represent the R&D function in relevant regional and international projects, meetings, and technical platforms, ensuring effective communication and knowledge sharing across the organization.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Decision making under pressure

Communication & stakeholder management

Multinational teamwork

Ownership mindset

Planning & execution

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related field

Job description

Hayat, a leading FMCG player, is seeking a Baby Care Applied R&D Group Manager to drive innovative product development from concept to launch at its Kocaeli HQ. You will lead large-scale R&D programs, collaborate with international teams, and shape global hygiene-related technology strategies.

Based in Kocaeli or willing to relocate, you will manage cross-functional stakeholders, travel as needed, and mentor a high-performance team to deliver quality, compliant products across regions.