Product Development Manager

Job Responsibilities

1. Lead the development of strategic technology platforms and innovation capabilities that support long-term business growth and competitive advantage
2. Identify, assess and develop emerging technologies, ingredients and scientific advancements, from concept through proof-of-concept and laboratory validation.
3. Establish and lead the R&D Center of Excellence by providing technical leadership, setting standards and building capabilities across Singapore and Vietnam R&D teams in the region.
4. Build and manage strategic collaborations with universities, research institutes, startups, suppliers and external innovation partners to accelerate research and innovation.
5. Drive technology transfer, scale-up and commercialization by partnering with Product Development, Manufacturing and Operations teams.
6. Lead customer co-creation initiatives with strategic B2B customers, facilitating innovation workshops, technical engagements and collaborative development projects to generate customer-centric solutions and growth opportunities.
7. Support customer visits, innovation showcases, technical presentations and external stakeholder engagements, representing the Singapore Innovation Center as a Global innovation hub.
8. Contribute to the company's innovation strategy, portfolio development, intellectual property generation and technology investment decisions aligned with future business priorities.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's / Master's Degree or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, Biotechnology, Materials Science, or related disciplines.
• At least 5 years of experience in food, beverage, ingredient, or related R&D environments.
• Strong experience in technology development, applied research, and innovation management
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and cross-functional projects.
• Experience collaborating with universities, research institutes, and external innovation partners.
• Experience in technology transfer, commercialization, and scale-up activities.
• Experience working directly with B2B customers in innovation, application development, technical service, or co-creation projects.
• Experience facilitating customer workshops, technical presentations, and collaborative innovation programs.
• Regional or international R&D experience is highly preferred
• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinking and innovation mindset.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel within the region when required.
• Ability to engage effectively with multinational customers, research partners, and cross-cultural teams.