R&D Manager – Food

For a leading multinational company operating in the Food industry, with a strong international footprint and well-established brands across major global markets , we are looking for an R&D Manager. The position is part of an important growth and diversification strategy, with particular focus on pesto, tomato-based sauces, sauces and vegetable preserves. The successful candidate will play a key role in building a dedicated R&D capability for these product categories, progressively bringing in-house technical expertise currently supported by manufacturing partners and external specialists. The role therefore offers the opportunity to build a new area of expertise within an established multinational organisation and directly contribute to the development of strategic product categories.

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Responsibilities

Reporting to the Technical Director (Quality & R&D), the R&D Manager will become the key internal reference point for research, product development and innovation within the relevant categories.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy and in close collaboration with Marketing, Sales, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement and external manufacturing partners, the role will lead new product development from concept through industrialisation, ensuring quality, technical feasibility, cost sustainability and regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will also be expected to bring expertise, vision and a proactive approach, identifying new product opportunities, improving the existing portfolio and progressively developing proprietary internal know‑how.

Activities

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• leading R&D and innovation activities across pesto, tomato-based sauces, sauces, vegetable preserves and adjacent categories;
  
• contributing proactively to new product ideation and the innovation pipeline, in line with brand strategies, consumer trends and market opportunities;
  
• developing new formulations and optimising existing recipes, working on ingredients, raw materials, product performance and stability;
  
• managing the end‑to‑end product development process, from concept and prototyping through industrial trials, scale‑up and implementation;
  
• translating Marketing and commercial requirements into technically feasible, distinctive and economically sustainable products;
  
• assessing industrial feasibility, packaging solutions and product cost implications;
  
• technically coordinating and supporting the selection of co‑packers, suppliers and external manufacturing partners;
  
• contributing, together with Quality and relevant specialists, to food safety, shelf life, stability, labelling and regulatory compliance;
  
• driving continuous improvement across formulation, packaging, processes, quality and cost optimisation;
  
• progressively developing internal technical know‑how and R&D capabilities, acting as a cross‑functional reference point throughout the product lifecycle.
  

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate has gained significant experience in R &D, New Product Development or Product Development within the Food industry, typically around 7–10 years, although the relevance of the experience will be more important than a rigid number of years.

Direct hands‑on experience in pesto, tomato-based sauces, sauces, condiments, vegetable preserves and vegetable‑based products will be particularly relevant.

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• strong expertise in food product development and formulation;
  
• experience in industrialisation, scale‑up, prototyping and industrial trials;
  
• ability to manage NPD projects from concept through launch;
  
• experience with co‑packers and external manufacturers;
  
• understanding of food safety, shelf life and stability;
  
• knowledge of packaging, food labelling and regulatory requirements;
  
• sensitivity to product economics and cost optimisation;
  
• exposure to international environments and/or markets.
  

Education & Languages

A university degree in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Agricultural Sciences or another relevant technical/scientific discipline is preferred. A qualification in Food Science and Technology will be particularly valued. An excellent command of English is important given the multinational nature of the organisation, although outstanding technical expertise may also be considered where candidates have had limited opportunities to use English in their current environment.

Location & Mobility

Location: Tuscany, on‑site. Regular presence at the company's premises will be required, together with availability to travel to co‑packers, manufacturing facilities, suppliers and other business partners in Italy and internationally.

Compensation

The expected gross annual base salary is €70,000–€80,000, depending on experience, seniority and overall fit. The overall package may include additional variable compensation and benefits in line with the level of the position. xysqume For outstanding candidates whose experience is particularly well aligned with the strategic and operational requirements of the position, the company is willing to consider additional flexibility on the overall compensation package.

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