R&D MANAGER
JOB DESCRIPTION
1- What’s a R&D Manager ?
A Research and Development Manager is responsible for research, planning and implementing new programs in the company. S/he oversees and monitors the entire process of creation or improvement for new products and programs from the initial planning phase until the production.
The main responsibility for a R&D Manager is to keep updated about the industry and innovations in order to fit the customers’ expectations and remain competitive on the market. S/he is led to work with other departments like the marketing or sales to define new project goals and gather the consumers’ insights.
2- What are the main missions ?
Implementing new research programs to develop or enhance the products or services’ offer from the company
Establishing a testing process with prototypes, following-up every step and reporting to senior management every technical issue
Developing new concepts with the Business Unit and monitor the overall costs of research
Keeping updated about the customers’ reviews with the Marketing team
Leading research projects and make recommendations to the top-management to reach the sales goals
3- What are the required competencies ?
Leadership and management skills
Budgeting ability
Communication and presentation skills
Ingenuity and creativity
Analytical and understanding skills
Ability to see the big picture of a project and pay attention to details
4- How to become a marketing manager in the Food & Beverage Industry ?
To become a R&D Manager, you need to have graduated at least from a Bachelor degree but a Master degree is the best. The most common diplomas in this field are engineering so, it can be quite general. However, many universities or schools deliver engineering diplomas with a specialization like Agribusiness, Food & Nutrition etc. There are also more and more engineering schools dedicated to the food industry. Here is a not exhaustive list of schools in Europe to get enrolled in this studies :
European Master Food Innovation and Product Design, Agroparistech (France)
Master of Food Technology, KU Leuven (Belgium)
MSc Agricultural Technology and Innovation, Royal Agricultural University (England)
Master Agribusiness Development, AERES Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
Generally, to access a R&D Manager position, 5 years of experience in the covered area as a development specialist and around 3 years of experience as a supervisor are required.
5- What are his/her main challenges today ?
Being innovative in a really competitive market
Answering the consumers’ expectations, who are increasingly demanding about a product’s functionality, packaging, use etc.
Developing new products and services which fit the CSR policy and are sustainable. Which means also, sourcing sustainable materials and rethinking all the process of production (packaging, formulation etc.)
6- Why should a R&D Manager in the food industry come on uFoodin ?
To keep an eye on the market, innovations and competitors
To find new business partners (manufacturers, producers, consulting companies)
To lead surveys to professionals, gather reviews and publish about his/her company’s latest innovations
To recruit new talents in the R&D field : we have thousands of people specialized in R&D.
