Manager Research & Development

About the role

PT Leon Boga Sentosa is seeking an experienced Manager Research & Development to lead and oversee our research and development initiatives within the food technology and safety sector. This is a full-time position based in North Jakarta, Jakarta, offering a strategic leadership opportunity for a seasoned professional who is passionate about innovation and product development in the food industry. As Manager Research & Development, you will play a crucial role in driving our company's growth through the development of new products, improvement of existing formulations, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality across all our operations.

Key responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• R&D Strategy & Innovation Leadership: Lead, manage, and develop the R&D team, including Food Technologists, Formulators, and Chemists, to build an innovative product pipeline aligned with consumer trends, market opportunities, and the company’s business strategy.
• End-to-End Product Development: Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from concept development and laboratory-scale formulation to pilot trials, production scale-up, and commercial launch.
• Regulatory Compliance & Food Safety: Ensure all products, particularly baby food products with stringent nutritional and safety requirements, comply with applicable national and international regulations and standards, including BPOM, Halal/SJPH, SNI, ISO, HACCP, and GMP.
• Formulation Optimization & COGS Management: Drive value engineering and product reformulation initiatives to enhance product quality, extend shelf life, and optimize the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) without compromising product safety, quality, or nutritional standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, QA/QC, and Production teams to ensure the successful and timely execution of new product development projects, from concept to commercialization, in line with agreed timelines and delivery targets.
• Sensory Evaluation & Product Stability Management: Review and approve organoleptic test results, stability studies, and independent laboratory or clinical testing, where applicable, to validate product quality, safety, stability, and substantiation of product claims.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Nutrition, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum 5–6 years of experience in R&D or Product Development within the FMCG industry, including at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching commercial products in the food or non-food industry. Experience in baby food or infant formula development is a significant advantage.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, product formulation, raw material functionality, and ingredient interactions.
• Comprehensive understanding of applicable food and cosmetics regulations, quality and food safety management systems, including HACCP, GMP, and FSSC 22000, as well as Halal Assurance System (SJPH) requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple product development projects simultaneously.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal, to facilitate effective collaboration with international suppliers, global principals, and other stakeholders.