Research & Development Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the R&D team in developing new products, formulations, and product improvements (especially for flavor, fragrance, and essential oil) aligned with market and business objectives.

• Develop and execute the company’s R&D strategy, innovation roadmap, and product development pipeline.

• Lead formulation development, laboratory trials, testing, validation, and scale-up activities from laboratory to production scale.

• Conduct research on raw materials, formulations, technologies, and manufacturing processes to improve product performance, quality, cost efficiency, and competitiveness.

• Evaluate and approve new raw materials, alternative materials, and formulation changes in collaboration with Quality Control.

• Establish and maintain R&D standards, procedures, specifications, testing methods, and technical documentation.

• Manage product development projects, including project timelines, resources, priorities, and deliverables.

• Monitor product stability, performance, and quality through appropriate laboratory testing and evaluation.

• Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, product differentiation, and continuous improvement.

• Support technical transfer from R&D to production and ensure smooth implementation of new or improved products.

• Prepare and present technical reports, project updates, product development results, and recommendations to management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Food Science, Materials Science, or a related field.

• Minimum 5-8 years of relevant experience in R&D/Product Development, preferably within FMCG, chemical manufacturing (Flavor/ fragrance/ essential oil), personal care, home care, or related industries. Minimum 2 years of experience in a managerial or leadership position.

• Strong experience in formulation development, product innovation, sensory evaluation, laboratory testing, product improvement, and scale-up.

• Experience in developing and commercializing new products from concept through production scale is highly preferred.

• Proficient in product costing and managing technical documentation, including COA, SDS, IFRA, and allergen information as required.

• Skilled in project management, formulation data management, and Microsoft Excel.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and decision-making skills.

• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Innovative, proactive, detail-oriented, and results-driven with a strong business mindset.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and familiar with relevant laboratory or R&D data management systems.

• Willing to stay in Gresik, East Java