Job Title: R&D Manager (part of the manufacturing side of the business)
Reporting to: Production Manager and Managing Director
Location: Leicester (on-site)
Salary: up to £45,000
Working hours: 08.30-17.00 (M-F)
Direct reports: 1
Company Overview:
The client, established in 2017, is a rapidly growing wholesale distributor and manufacturer based in Leicester, UK. Specializing in FMCG products and a wide range of consumer goods, they provide services to customers across the UK and internationally. With a strong online presence and a commitment to customer satisfaction, the client pride themselves on being a leader in the wholesale industry.
Responsibilities:
· Lead the R&D team in developing new concepts in-line with the company portfolio.
· End to end ownership of R&D/NPD projects to be managed, communicated and progressed through the business.
· Ensure robust processes are implemented and followed for all new R&D projects to launch.
· Conduct onsite new product development trials and take them from concept to launch.
· Support the production team in “scale up” factory trials.
· Record and save all relevant R&D data on the provided digital work spaces.
· Coach and mentor junior members of the R&D team, with them in mind to be the future R&D leaders. PIPs and KPIs to be created and maintained for the team.
· Own products and white label costings using supplier and competition data to make us highly competitive in the market.
· Sourcing new raw materials from global suppliers to maximise the cost and quality of the products.
· Maintain the company recipe web site (WMS).
· Work closely with other functions within the business, i.e. Production, sales and design to allow fluid cross functional communication.
· Attend/lead R&D weekly meetings and product briefs.
· Determining and executing improved technologies used by suppliers, competitors and customers information.
· Deliver on time in full all R&D/NPD briefs from the customers, internal and external.
· Be continually innovating current and new products, using new methods, ingredients and production processes.
· Manage and communicate any regulatory requirements, e.g. FSA with the direct collaboration with the MD
· Management of new formula technical testing with third parties.
· Attend and represent the company at any trade show that are relevant to our industry
· Complete label compliance checks for all own products and WL orders.
· Be HACCP aware and be a part of the HACCP team.
The responsibilities above are a representation of the role and may be subject to change to meet the needs of the business.