R&D Deputy Manager (Food, Seasoning)

Job Description

Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) is a global leader offering naturally good food & beverage ingredients and solutions. ofi commenced operations in Vietnam in 1997, setting up its representative office. Since then, we have established an extensive presence across different parts of Vietnam, including our head office in Ho Chi Minh City and regional offices in Binh Dinh, Long An, Dong Nai, Phu Yen, Lamdong and Gia Lai Provinces.

ofi Vietnam is currently the largest exporter of Cashews, Pepper & Instant Coffee in Vietnam, investing in the state-of-the-art instant coffee facility and running 7 large factories with 7,500 employees across Central & South Vietnam. Our operations have an interface with a farmer network of 2 million farmers. We are also amongst the largest exporter of Green Coffee in Vietnam.

We have established sustainability programmers for black pepper, coffee & cashew. We are excited about our future prospects in Vietnam as the country has huge potential in agriculture.

Job overview

We are seeking for an R&D - Innovation Deputy Manager who is responsible for the innovation activities in ofi Spices Vietnam, including product formulation, process, and packaging development and for the deployment of any spices’ innovation SOP, SOP from ofi globally. Concurrently, the individual have also be the key contact point for innovation projects at ofi spice Vietnam side for new product development/innovation activities.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure that all innovation activities comply with Health Safety Environmental policies, company regulations.
• Develop, implement, assess, and maintain innovation SOP in spices operation/ implementation of the global innovation SOP where appropriate.
• Developing new products, conducting trials, managing new products, sample matching, new product development projects, trial analysis, and report.
• Improve Existing Products and Processes: Refers to developing value-added products and processes by providing input into innovative uses for excess raw materials and by-products.
• Develop, maintain innovation data system (material specification/Sample in and out, customer innovation data) to ensure all information is readily available at any time to support operation needs.
• Interact with customers on specific formulation or product questions. Ensure all TAT for TDR/Hepdesk/Shipment desk.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with an ability to utilize scientific principles to develop new products, processes, and formulations. Co-work with QFS team to investigate customer complaints if any.
• Maintain / manage the Innovation team/ Innovation laboratories.

Job Requirement

• University graduate (or higher) is required
• Excellence in English (4 skills) is required
• At least 5 years (or more) experience in new product development/innovation (foods areas – B2B or B2C businesses)/ multi-national companies is preferred
• Leadership skill is required

Our Purpose is to “be the change for good food and a healthy future”. At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions will be based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.