Job Title: Assistant Manager – Research & Development (R&D)

Location: Colombo

Location Type: On-Site

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Client Partner

Our client partner is a leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) enterprise specializing in large-scale food processing and manufacturing. Operating world-class processing facilities and distributing essential food products across regional and international consumer markets, the enterprise is committed to product innovation, nutritional quality, and high manufacturing standards. They offer a dynamic, technology-driven environment for research and development professionals.

About the Role

We are seeking an innovative, results-driven Assistant Manager – Research & Development (R&D) to lead product development, formulation optimization, and commercialization initiatives within the food manufacturing sector. This role is responsible for driving product formulation from laboratory concepts to full production trials, supporting cost optimization, ensuring regulatory compliance, and executing technology upgrades across production facilities.

Responsibilities:

Product Development & Formulation: Lead end-to-end product development and formulation projects.
Trial Execution & Commercialization: Conduct lab-scale, pilot-scale, and factory-level production trials to ensure seamless product commercialization.
Formulation Optimization: Develop and refine formulations based on evolving consumer trends, customer specifications, cost parameters, and food quality standards.
Process & Technical Troubleshooting: Collaborate with Production, Quality Assurance (QA), Engineering, Procurement, and Commercial teams to resolve product performance and processing issues.
Raw Material & Supplier Evaluation: Evaluate, test, and approve raw materials, ingredients, packaging media, and supplier technical specifications.
Analytical Testing & Sensory Studies: Oversee sensory evaluations, shelf-life stability studies, physical-chemical analyses, and product performance benchmarks.
Cost Optimization & Reformulation: Drive cost reduction and product reformulation initiatives without compromising product quality, safety, or regulatory compliance.
Technical Documentation & Reporting: Prepare technical reports, raw material/finished product specifications, presentations, and management recommendations.
Project & Capacity Support: Coordinate multiple R&D projects simultaneously from concept through commercial scale-up while supporting technology upgrades, automation, and plant capacity expansion.
Team Leadership & Mentorship: Guide, mentor, and build technical competencies among junior team members and R&D interns.

Requirements:

Educational Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
Years of Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive R&D experience within the food manufacturing industry.
Domain Expertise: Specialized experience in culinary food products is a distinct advantage.
Technical Competencies: Strong knowledge of food formulation chemistry, product development workflows, food safety standards, quality management systems, and food regulatory frameworks.
Software & Analytics: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical reporting capabilities.
Core Competencies: Ability to manage multiple projects under pressure, strong organizational and planning skills, and excellent cross-functional stakeholder management.

Assistant Manager – Research & Developm...