Research and Development Project Manager

Doğanay; Seyhan; On-site; TRY 400,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Doğanay, a leading producer of traditional beverages and sauces, seeks an R&D Project Manager for its Adana Plant. You will drive new product development, improve existing offerings, and work hands-on in lab trials, pilot studies, and line applications to align with quality and regulatory standards.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years in food R&D, familiarity with Turkish Codex, and skills in recipes, documentation, and cross-functional teamwork. English proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in R&D and/or Quality departments within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of food production processes, food safety, industrial microbiology and regulations.
• Hands-on lab-scale product development, sample prep, and production line trials.
• Knowledge of Turkish Food Codex and international food regulations.
• Shelf-life studies, sensory evaluation, and product performance assessments.
• Ability to prepare recipes, process flow charts, specifications and technical docs.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and BoM preferred.
• Strong communication with Production, Quality, Procurement, Planning and Marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects: new products, improvements, and cost optimization.
• Plan and report laboratory trials, pilot studies and production line tests.
• Prepare samples and support prototype development per project needs.
• Coordinate technical follow-up with related departments during trials.
• Develop alternative materials and formulations within quality, cost, and regulatory limits.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and prepare technical reports.
• Manage recipes, process flows, specs, and related docs.
• Support sensory evaluation studies and internal product assessments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in product quality and process efficiency.

Skills

R&D in food industry

Quality assurance

Laboratory trials

Shelf-life studies

Sensory evaluation

Process flow charts

Technical documentation

ERP systems

BoM experience

English language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

BoM

Job description

Would you like to be part of a success story?

Are you interested in leading end to end business?

Here is a great opportunity!

Who we are?

Doğanay is one of the most respected, well-known and successful brands in traditional fermented drinks, soft drinks, vinegar and sauces segments. Doğanay practices sustainable agriculture at its agricultural lands and uses the latest production techniques and quality standards at its own production facilities in Adana.

Under Taxim Capital’s ownership, Doğanay will accelerate its growth with a forward-looking and institutionalized management, add many other authentic Anatolian tastes to its portfolio, help them grow nationally, and finally introduce those tastes to the peoples of wider geographies. Thus, as a global producer of local and traditional tastes, Doğanay will seek out to help Turkey play a wider role in the global F&B sector.

We are looking for an R&D Project Manager to join our R&D team at our Adana Plant.

The ideal candidate will take an active role in new product development, product improvement, quality improvement and production adaptation projects. This role is suitable for a hands-on R&D professional with 3 to 5 years of experience in the food industry, who is willing to work actively in laboratory trials, pilot studies and production line applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Engineering; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience in R&D and/or Quality departments within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of food production processes, food safety, industrial microbiology and food regulations.
• Hands-on experience in laboratory-scale product development, sample preparation and production line trials.
• Knowledge of Turkish Food Codex and relevant international food regulations.
• Experience in shelf-life studies, sensory evaluation processes and product performance assessments.
• Ability to prepare and manage product recipes, process flow charts, specifications and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and BoM experience is preferred.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work closely with Production, Quality, Procurement, Planning and Marketing teams.
• Good command of English for following scientific literature, technical documents and regulatory updates.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility in R&D projects including new product development, product improvement and cost optimization studies.
• Plan, conduct and report laboratory trials, pilot plant studies and production line trials.
• Prepare product samples and support prototype development studies in line with project requirements.
• Participate in production trials and coordinate technical follow-up actions with related departments.
• Develop and evaluate alternative raw materials, ingredients and formulations in line with quality, cost and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct shelf-life studies using appropriate scientific methods and prepare technical reports.
• Prepare, update and manage product recipes, process flow charts, specifications and related technical documents.
• Support sensory evaluation studies and internal product assessment processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities focused on product quality, standardization and process efficiency.