Hire Resolve is seeking a driven and innovative General Manager: R&D for our client, in the food industry, based in Johannesburg. In this role, you will lead the research and development department, overseeing the development of new products and enhancing existing ones to meet market demands. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of our client's R&D initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company's overall strategic objectives while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
Responsibilities: Lead local and regional innovation projects in factories and co-manufacturers, setting strategic priorities and ensuring execution.Manage all aspects of innovation development and product optimization.Define priorities for the R&D innovation team, securing necessary technical resources for successful project commercialization.Ensure effective transition of innovations to factories, including creating specifications for optimal production efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.Partner with the GM VP Innovation to shape the direction of the innovation organization.Oversee the scale-up and commercialization of innovations, ensuring alignment with key business processes.Collaborate with RIC peers, COEs, engineering, and factory teams to inform long-term innovation strategy.Work with COE teams to create and deliver core innovation extensions.Ensure that the innovation process adheres to timelines for market product launches.Connect with global COEs and technology teams to establish necessary research and technology strategies for factories.Harmonize innovation projects across functions, sharing best practices to accelerate global deployment of innovations.Model target behaviors for R&D, focusing on talent management and horizontal accountability with the management team.Work with marketing, sales, and production teams to ensure successful execution of business strategies and product launches.Develop and oversee the R&D budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation.Manage a large team of associates, focusing on building an effective team culture and motivating individuals.Requirements: Degree in Product Management, Food Science, Chemistry or equivalent.Minimum 10+ years in R&D with at least 5+ years in leadership roles.Experience in Baking Industries highly advantageous.Must have Food industry experience.Excellent project management skills, typically acquired through 8+ years of leading innovation projects as a key technical member on cross-functional teams.Hands-on experience in the development and successful launch of new products, packaging, and processes.High-performing leader with strengths in building R&D teams, talent management, and fostering horizontal accountability among management team members.Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and a positive, action-biased attitude.Strategic thinker capable of translating market insights into actionable R&D strategies and initiatives.Preferred experience in product development related to value-added bakery and emulsions.Our client is offering a highly competitive salary for this role based on experience.
We will contact you telephonically in 3 days should you be suitable for this vacancy. If you are not suitable, we will put your CV on file and contact you regarding any future vacancies that arise.
About Hire ResolveHire Resolve removes the stress of the career search by understanding you as an individual. We take more than just your qualifications into account, considering factors like your salary and benefits expectations as well as your preferred workplace culture to ensure that we find the perfect opportunities to meet your unique needs.
As a specialist recruitment agency, we focus on the Engineering, Finance, IT, Mining, Manufacturing, and Logistics industries. Our team of recruitment consultants is well-versed and highly networked in the industries in which they operate and are dedicated to ensuring that every placement is a perfect fit.
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