R&D Specialist / Executive

Ülker; Karaman Merkez; On-site; TRY 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant d'entreprise

Job summary

Ülker is seeking an experienced Food/R&D professional to join its expanding product development team in Turkey. You will research formulations, develop innovative and safe products, and lead cost-reduction efforts while ensuring regulatory and global standards compliance.

The role requires 2–5 years of FMCG R&D experience, a degree in Food or Chemical Engineering, proficiency in English, and collaboration with marketing, supply chain, quality, and production to bring concepts to market.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of FMCG R&D experience required.
• Strong formulation development and innovation skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Researching formulations of new and existing products and developing innovative, profitable, healthy, safe, and delicious products.
• Developing products aligned with targeted financial performance, selecting the right raw materials with appropriate price, quality, and safety criteria.
• Controlling group specifications for production processes and continuously researching best practices.
• Leading cost reduction projects along with alternative raw materials and suppliers.
• Identifying market needs and consumer demands and conducting new product development research.
• Managing R&D project processes; performing project planning, coordination, and reporting activities.
• Ensuring products comply with relevant regulations and global standards.
• Defining and implementing process and raw material standards for the products.
• Following and analyzing innovations and technological developments in the FMCG sector and supporting R&D activities.
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including marketing, supply chain, quality and production.

Skills

FMCG experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Sensory evaluation

English communication

Project management

Education

BSc in Food Engineering or Chemical Engineering

Tools

MS Office

SAP

Job description

Who we are?

With production starting in a small shop in Nohutçu Han, Eminönü in 1944, Ülker has since grown to become the leading food company in Turkey and the region, with more than 300 brands, exports to more than 100 countries around the world, and successful overseas operations. Its wide range of products all-share Ülker's values, with brands in categories including biscuits, cake, chocolate, candy, and gum. By placing sustainability principles and objective orientation at the center of its business model, Ülker continues to contribute to Turkey's economy with its turnover of 7.8 billion TL, close to 9,000 employees, and its zero-waste policy.

pladis

was founded in 2016 as a subsidiary of Yıldız Holding, headquartered in Istanbul with the aim of ensuring synergy among the group’s international snack brands and increasing its global competitiveness. Consolidating 300 years of experience in bakery products, chocolate, gum and candy, it is home to beloved, iconic brands such as Ülker, McVitie’s and Godiva. With 25 factories in 11 countries, and a global workforce of 16,000 people in its operations in over 100 countries, pladis offers its consumers the highest quality products and services.

A brief job description of the position and preferred qualifications for the suitable candidates are defined below:

What will be your key deliverables?

• Researching formulations of new and existing products and developing innovative, profitable, healthy, safe, and delicious products,
• Developing products aligned with targeted financial performance, selecting the right raw materials with appropriate price, quality, and safety criteria,
• Controlling group specifications for production processes and continuously researching best practices,
• Leading cost reduction projects along with alternative raw materials and suppliers.
• Identifying market needs and consumer demands and conducting new product development research,
• Managing R&D project processes; performing project planning, coordination, and reporting activities,
• Ensuring products comply with relevant regulations and global standards,
• Defining and implementing process and raw material standards for the products,
• Following and analyzing innovations and technological developments in the FMCG sector and supporting R&D activities.
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including marketing, supply chain, quality and production
• Preferably experienced in sensory evaluation techniques and managing internal or external tasting panels.

What do you need for this role?

• Graduate from Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering departments
• Minimum 2 - 5 years of R&D experience in FMCG food industry is required with track record of successful developments
• Passionate about innovation; actively researches global and local consumer trends, new raw materials, and technologies with a strong sense of curiosity to translate them into successful product concepts
• Experience working in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams in a dynamic environment
• Proficient in verbal and written English communication
• Proficient in MS Office programs; knowledge of SAP is a plus
• Identifying problems proactively and creating and implementing solutions
• Experienced in project management, capable of completing projects on time and within quality standards
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Our winning traits and behaviors

• PURPOSE-LED - Energized by our promise to deliver happiness to the world with every bite
• AGILE - Ever evolving, never satisfied and never standing still
• COLLABORATIVE - Willing to work with others for mutual success, transparent, a win-win seeker
• RESILIENT - Quick to adapt to change, fast learner and persistent in the face of setbacks
• POSITIVE - Self-motivated, optimistic, courageous, and inspiring