R&d Manager

**Do you have the appetite to Grow Your Magic?**

Consumers everywhere are increasingly conscious of the quality of the food they eat. BanoPuratos develops, produces and distributes a unique range of ingredients for bakers, pastry-chefs and chocolatiers who demand the very highest quality.

BanoPuratos group is a rapidly growing joint-venture in the Middle East, with 354 employees in 7 countries, and a consolidated turnover of over 100 M in 2022. Our passion for innovation, pioneering spirit and core values continue to propel our global ambitions. This, coupled with our commitment to our communities, is what makes working at BanoPuratos so magical.

**Position Overview**

Based in Saudi Arabia, we are currently seeking a:
**R&D Manager**

(_Dammam, Saudi Arabia_)

The R&D Manager Fillings and Decors is responsible for leading R&D projects related to the product categories of Fruits and Decors & Creams. This includes all projects related to innovation, renovation, tailor made projects, process /production improvements, cost reduction.

The R&D Manager Fillings & Decors is a key driver in the business development in the country by supporting the local sales force on the product categories, including direct support to customers for the implementation of the developed products.

The R&D Manager Fillings & Decors has a strong collaboration with Operations (including production, supply chain, quality, purchasing), to implement the right product and process parameters and guarantee the accuracy of technical data and safeguard confidentiality.

**Key Accountabilities**
- **Lead new product development**:

- Drive innovation through the development of new products and concepts, related to the filling and decor category, in line with local market needs and for all customer segments.
- Drive tailor made projects for large accounts in the BanoPuratos countries
- **Provide R&D support to production**:

- Support the validation of new production lines in the factory
- Assure the validation of new products on the industrial line
- Support feasibility studies, implementation of new processes and the launch of new production lines
- Provide R&D support for technical & quality issues, rework, obsolete stocks and SKU management
- Lead cost reduction initiatives linked to raw materials and recipe, and support the approval of alternative raw materials to control the COGS
- **Assure training and technical support to the business development team (sales, marketing) and customers through**:

- Providing training to sales people, technical advisors and marketing team
- Assistance to customer visits, and assuring high level technical support and good commercial contacts with key accounts
- Travel in the region required for customer visits
- **Active networking and technological leadership**:

- Interact with Regional & Global R&D Filling and Decor in order to be updated on the latest Group Strategic and International Innovations/technologies via (but not limited to)
- Participate to internal and external seminars linked to fillings and decors
- Have regular update meetings with the Regional R&D manager and Country R&D Manager
- Stay updated on technological evolutions by maintaining an active network with suppliers (raw materials and equipment), and follow online trainings and live technology platforms
- **Regulatory compliance, IP protection** and **data management**:

- Assure good knowledge of the latest country regulatory status on the product categories
- Ensure that all technical data linked to products are updated and comply with food legislation: technical data sheets, ingredient declaration, formulas
- Ensure confidentiality of know how (such as recipes, process and other company know-how) and respect the Group golden rules of Know-how protection

**Job Requirement**
- Food engineer or related background, with experience in related industry
- Proven experience of driving projects forward and leading cross-functional teams
- 3-7 years of R&D/technical experience
- Knowledge on starch, hydrocolloids, and baked goods
- A good level of English, both written and speaking

**COMPETENCIES**
- Excellent organization, planning and project management skills
- Dynamic and proactive team player
- Pragmatic and results oriented
- Drive for quality and continuous improvement
- Good communication skills
- Good sense of synthesis
- Multi-Task: can work in parallel on different projects

**Offer**

BanoPuratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, BanoPuratos offers a competitive package but additionally, offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.