Head of Food Technology (Research Development)

Chief R&D Officer (CRDO)
Role to relocate to China - Hainan

The Vision
You will be the primary architect of our Group’s innovation engine. Your mandate is to transform and centralize our FMCG research and development capabilities, creating a high-performance ecosystem that balances scientific rigor with market agility.

Leading the charge in developing world-class formulations and process innovations that ensure our brands remain the first choice for consumers while maintaining a competitive edge in cost, quality, and sustainability.

Why Join Our Client?

This is a "legacy-building" role. You are not just managing a department; you are building the scientific foundation for a global FMCG leader. You will have the resources of a major group with the mandate to disrupt and innovate.

Strategic Pillars of Responsibility

1. Visionary R&D Strategy & Portfolio Growth

Innovation Roadmap: Architect and execute a multi-year R&D strategy that aligns with Group growth targets and category expansion.

Platform Development: Build "Center of Excellence" (CoE) platforms for core science (e.g., taste chemistry, texture, nutrition) that can be leveraged across all Business Units (BUs).

Future-Proofing: Identify "Blue Ocean" opportunities in adjacent spaces such as functional beverages, premiumization, and sustainable packaging.

2. The Hybrid Operating Model (Governance)

Structure: Establish and lead a hybrid model:

Central R&D: Focused on core science, shared technology, and long-term pipelines.

BU-Embedded Teams: Focused on local adaptation, rapid execution, and line extensions.

Efficiency: Implement a robust Stage-Gate framework to prioritize high-value projects, prevent duplication, and accelerate "Idea-to-Shelf" timelines.

3. Product Excellence & Commercialization

End-to-End Oversight: Drive the lifecycle from initial molecule/concept through pilot scale-up to full-scale manufacturing.

Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner with Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain to ensure every innovation is commercially viable, manufacturable, and margin-accretive.

Technical Transfer: Ensure seamless hand-offs between R&D labs and factory floors, minimizing "speed-to-market" friction.

4. Quality, Regulatory & Compliance

Standards Leadership: Ensure 100% compliance with global and local food safety regulations.

Reformulation: Lead proactive "clean label" and nutritional optimization initiatives to stay ahead of changing consumer health trends and regulatory shifts.

5. Capability Building & Cultural Leadership

Talent Engine: Recruit and mentor a world-class team of food technologists, chemists, and engineers; foster a culture of "commercial pragmatism" where science serves the consumer.

Infrastructure: Modernize R&D labs, pilot plants, and sensory evaluation facilities to reflect a "state-of-the-art" innovation environment.

External Ecosystem: Build strategic alliances with ingredient suppliers, universities, and tech vendors to bring "outside-in" innovation to the Group.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Bachelors degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

15+ years of R&D experience within FMCG manufacturing (food & beverage preferred)

Proven leadership experience managing central or multi-category R&D functions

Strong exposure to: Coffee, tea, instant foods, confectionery, or similar categories

Scale-up from lab to factory

Regulatory and quality environments

Experience working closely with Manufacturing, QA, Marketing, and Commercial teams