Beverage Innovation Assistant Manager/ Manager (R&D Innovation)

This position will be responsible for creating new product innovation initiatives from ideation to commercialization. This role will develop and build Beverage recipes Concept Bank Library that serve for company innovation pipeline. This will require strong connecting and collaborating with Marketing department, Training master barista, Store Operation and Supply Chain department to understand market trends, strategic supplier base, menu architechture and operational excellence to succesfully launch new products.

New Product Innovation

• Lead and support the Senior Product Innovation Director in executing innovation ideation direction.
• Oversee the development of beverage drink line-up for Beverage Concept Bank Library.
• Accountable for all beverage product development including Marketing 18M calendar OTIF.
• Collaborate cross-functional with Marketing, BU NPI, Training Master Barista, OPS to ensure approved concepts are smoothly transferred for commercialization.
• Coordinate with internal and external key stakeholders to ensure alignment and commitment to deliver commercialization success.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, consumer psychology, and competitors to develop new beverage ideas.
• Lead the development of beverage innovation strategy and coordinate with Marketing in conducting Post-Launch Evaluation.
• Oversee sourcing of high-quality ingredients from strategic suppliers to support the development and innovation of new beverages.

Cost Optimization and Product Improvement

• Analyze and understand performance of beverage menu and propose opportunities for improvement or cost optimization.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Operations, and Training to ensure smooth implementation of cost optimization projects.
• Accountable for all beverage projects to improve flagship / core products following Marketing 18M calendar OTIF.

Others

• Oversee and actively source a diverse range of high-quality ingredients to support and elevate beverage innovation and creative development initiatives.
• Manage supplier base in beverage category industry
• Coach and mentor junior team on product innovation execution.
• Handle other tasks as assigned by Line Manager’s requirement.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in the food & beverage industry, with an emphasis on coffee and tea
• Demonstrated ability to develop beverage prototypes and drive the product development pipeline, with proven ability to move products from ideation to commercialization
• Experience in menu development skills, with relevant experience with developing coffee and tea, products, build cost structure for a recipe.

Work related skills

• Market trend monitoring, insights interpretation
• Coffee, Tea support in research & development from product ideation, consumer testing, commercialization, and rollout
• Supplier relationship management and cost tracking
• Understanding of store operations and execution feasibility
• Recipe and concept development
• Consumer insights application and basic marketing fundamentals

Soft skills 

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills in fast-paced environment
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder relationship building
• Results-oriented with ability to perform under pressure
• Supplier coordination and management
• Proficiency in Vietnamese and English